Louis van Gaal’s desire to turn Manchester United back into title challengers by giving players the best chance to learn his methods as quickly as possible has persuaded the club’s new manager to redraw large parts of their summer tour.

While in Los Angeles for the opening leg Van Gaal believed the club’s training centre at the StubHub complex was too far away from the squad’s Beverly Wilshire Hotel location and asked staff to book the nearby Holiday Inn so players could rest there to ensure they could have double sessions. With the StubHub – formerly the Home Depot Centre – in south LA, players had lunch and could sleep at the Holiday Inn, following the morning session, before the later one.

It is understood Van Gaal has asked the club to do the same when United reach Washington DC and Detroit later in the tour though not in Denver where they were playing Roma later on Saturday in the opening group game of the International Champions Cup.

However, an advance party was sent to Denver from LA to scout the location of the team’s hotel and ensure that all players could be seated in formal fashion when dining together, as at Carrington, with Van Gaal insistent they should arrive on time and that their diets are to his orders.

Of his defenders, Jonny Evans has impressed Van Gaal the most so far, with the manager admiring his ability to play out from the back. As the Dutchman wants to play a three centre-back system the two-footed Evans is an asset since Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are right-sided.

Ideally Van Gaal would like to pair Evans with Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen – another left-footer – and Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, who remain prime targets.

During United’s 7-0 hammering of LA Galaxy on Wednesday evening in Pasadena, players observed that any mistakes they made during the game had been noted by the manager, and he addressed them at half-time. This calm approach contrasts with the more demonstrative style of David Moyes on the touchline last season, though Van Gaal is proving as stern as his reputation had suggested.

After the squad’s first session in Denver on Thursday he praised the display against Galaxy but spent more time informing players there was still a lot more hard work to do before they can adjust to his demands. He stressed they had to do precisely as he wants.

Van Gaal’s micro-management style is an ongoing feature of his career. On becoming Holland coach in 2012 he ordered adjustments in the team hotel to encourage players to mix rather than staying in their rooms alone, creating a big “family room” that had facilities for cards and table tennis with a large flat -screen television. He termed the area a “safe haven”.