Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has said he and his team-mates will try to "hit the ground running" during their pre-season as the team returned to training this week.
Louis van Gaal's side fly out to the United States next week for their pre-season tour, where they'll play four fixtures which will be against Club America, San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
In an interview with United's official website, Smalling said: "[Pre-season is] hard work. It's important to hit the ground running during pre-season because you don't get those weeks back - they are crucial. You need to make sure that you're up to speed come the start of the season.
"It's all about getting your fitness up. Of course we go on tour and that means experiencing different countries, different occasions and lots of hard work. Winning games in pre-season always helps going into the start of the season and that's our aim."
The England defender also highlighted how important pre-season tours are to get to know new signings and young players who're breaking through into the side.
"They’re crucial because you’re spending 24 hours a day together and not just a morning and afternoon at the training ground," Smalling said.
"Being able to eat together and spend your free time with the new players and the younger ones is really important in helping them settle in."
Smalling made only 29 appearances for the Red Devils last season, and he'll be looking to cement a place in van Gaal's starting line-up after the club have been linked with moves for Sergio Ramos and Nicolas Otamendi.
With competition already at the club in the form of Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett, Smalling faces a make-or-break season at Old Trafford and possibly for England as the European Championships beckon next summer.