The key detail is simple: the group is almost complete.
That matters. Carrick took over in unsettled circumstances last season, but the backdrop now appears calmer. A top-three finish and a return to the Champions League have changed the tone, and summer additions including Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos give the squad a fresher look.
Holland’s comments point to something clubs often chase and rarely get in modern pre-season: control. Rather than disappear on a long-haul tour, United have largely worked from Carrington, returning home after matches and keeping their training rhythms intact. Holland said that approach gave the squad the “best possible chance” of being ready, and that feels especially important after a disrupted summer.
There is also a practical edge to this Leeds game. Other reports suggest Leeds have already shown plenty of bite in pre-season, including a comeback result against Liverpool, so United should get a serious test rather than a gentle run-out.
This is not the moment for grand conclusions, especially with transfer speculation still circling names like Rashford. But the signs are encouraging. United look deeper, calmer and better organised than they did at the start of Carrick’s reign.
Now attention turns to Leeds at Croke Park, then AC Milan in Wroclaw, before the Premier League opener away to Hull on 22 August. The next question is whether a smoother summer can carry real momentum into the season that matters.