What a difference 12 months make. Last summer in the Far East, with David Moyes at the helm, Manchester United faltered in pre-season friendlies against the likes of Yokohama F Marinos and Cerezo Osaka, before they returned to the more familiar surroundings of Old Trafford only to be defeated 3-1 by Sevilla.
This time around, under Louis van Gaal's guidance, United have taken on Roma, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and arch rivals Liverpool in the USA and have beaten them all.
As the start of the new Premier League season draws closer, such results have brought with them the return of the feel-good factor and here, Sports Mole has picked out five of the biggest talking points to come out from United's tour across the other side of the Atlantic.
1. If they're good enough, they're old enough
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Van Gaal may have a fearsome and obsessive reputation in the footballing world, yet the Dutchman is also renowned for giving young players every opportunity to fulfil their potential. He was the man at the helm as a vibrant Ajax side won the Champions League in 1995, while the 62-year-old has also been credited for bringing through the likes of Xavi and Toni Kroos at Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively.
A handful of teenagers travelled to the States with United and all of them were given game time. They responded as well, with Reece James scoring twice in the 7-0 romp of Los Angeles Galaxy, while defenders Tyler Blackett and Michael Keane received plaudits for their performances against Real Madrid. Such was the faith that Van Gaal has in Blackett, he brought the 20-year-old on against Liverpool for the more senior Jonny Evans when his side trailed 1-0.
Manchester-born Blackett produced a performance of a standard that had some suggesting that he should start against Swansea City next weekend. With Van Gaal's track record, it shouldn't be ruled out.
2. Composed centre-backs needed
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Far be it from us to second-guess a manager of Van Gaal's stature, but it would appear that under his management, initially at least, United will play 3-5-2. Such a formation requires at least two of the three-man defensive unit to be comfortable in possession of the ball, while also being able to step into the midfield on occasions to start attacks.
As it stands, United have three senior centre-backs in Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, all of whom treated the ball like a hot potato against Liverpool. Goalkeeper David de Gea has obviously been instructed to pick out his defenders whenever possible, but time and again during the early hours of Tuesday morning, possession was gifted back to Liverpool. Indeed, having been introduced at the break, young Blackett was United's most assured defender.
It won't have gone unnoticed by Van Gaal, who has been heavily linked with Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen in recent weeks. Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels is thought to be another target and both would provide some much needed composure to a nervy rearguard.
3. New system revitalises Young
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You only have to look at the responses that Ashley Young receives every time that he posts a message on Twitter to see how unpopular he has become among United supporters. The most innocent of tweets from the winger are ordinarily met with a barrage of abuse.
While that is undoubtedly completely over the top, there can be no disputing the fact that after an impressive first season at Old Trafford, Young has been frustratingly inconsistent in a red shirt. Before the trip to the USA, if United fans had been asked to draw up a list of players that they wanted to see the club sell, the 29-year-old would have been many people's number one choice.
Of course, Young still has plenty to prove, but along with the likes of Wayne Rooney, he was one of United's standout players on tour. Playing in an unfamiliar wing-back role, the England international shone, both defensively and offensively. He scored two goals against Madrid and throughout the tournament he sent numerous dangerous crosses into the opposition's penalty area. There is a long way to go, but Young's displays have given him the chance to resuscitate what was a flat-lining United career.
4. Midfield needs more than Herrera
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Between 2007 and the end of last summer's transfer window, United signed just one senior central midfielder - Marouane Fellaini. With the greatest of respect to the afro-haired Belgian, his big money switch from Everton has not worked out and if speculation is to be believed, a move to Napoli is on the cards.
Ander Herrera has now been recruited from Athletic Bilbao and the Spaniard showed enough in the USA to suggest that he is going to be a major asset. A fit again Darren Fletcher also appears to be enjoying a new lease of life since Van Gaal's appointment. In contrast, he may have surprisingly been given the captaincy against Roma, but Tom Cleverley failed to shine, while Michael Carrick is sidelined for the next two to three months through injury.
It all means that at least one more midfielder is required. Links continue with Juventus's Arturo Vidal, but those are conflicting to reports as to whether the Chilean is willing to make the move. William Carvalho, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Kevin Strootman have also been mooted.
5. Round pegs in round holes
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When Moyes sat next to Juan Mata at his unveiling press conference in January, the beaming Scot looked like the cat that had got the cream. At Everton, he'd never been able to spend £37m on a player of the Spaniard's ability. He was in uncharted, yet exciting territory.
However, almost immediately, it was apparent that Moyes had no genuine tactical plan for the club's record signing. Between Mata's arrival and his sacking in April, Moyes played the 26-year-old on the left and on the right, but rarely in his preferred central attacking role.
Van Gaal, though, has so far used Mata in his most natural position, which has allowed him to make numerous runs beyond the strikers. The result has been a string of creative and goalscoring performances and Mata himself has spoken of his happiness at where he is currently operating on the pitch. His presence in an advanced position also appears to have gotten the best out of Rooney, while Robin van Persie should have little trouble slotting in alongside them to form an attacking trio.
Liam Apicella
