Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw has been giving some insight into the "massive step forward" the club's players have taken this week.
Today was the first day that Premier League players were allowed to start non-contact training.
An excited Shaw wrote about the "biggest news of the week" in his diary on the official club website.
"We’ve known for around a week that it was a possibility, but United have had to make it the safest possible environment for all the players and staff," Shaw wrote.
"We’ll still social distance throughout, we’ll arrive in our training gear and shower when we get home.
"The rules have to be really strict but we’re obviously all going to stick to them just to make sure things run as smoothly and safely as possible."
Players have been limited in what they could do to keep themselves fit during the lockdown which was enforced in the UK on 23 March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Restrictions were eased last week as people were permitted to take unlimited exercise last week but Shaw admits that he has missed being on a proper football pitch.
"I think we’re all determined to do things properly because we’re all looking forward to getting back on a proper pitch!" said Shaw.
"Running down at the park is okay, but obviously it isn’t ideal.
"We have to do our work, keep fit and it’ll be nice to be around different people and see the boys again for a bit longer.
"It’s a massive step forward to get on the same training pitch as each other."
Regaining their match sharpness will now be key for the players as they also attempt to regain their touch ahead of the Premier League's proposed return to action in mid-June.
"We had another group call today when the news was confirmed to us, and you could see how excited the coaches were to be getting back," added Shaw.
"The players are, of course, but we’ve been able to keep busy with fitness work, while the coaches have been waiting to be able to put their sessions into action.
"I’m sure there’ll be some fitness work when we get back, but we’ve all done a lot of running over the last three weeks and now we’re all just itching to do more ball work.
"The most important thing is getting used to that and it’ll be nice to be able to pass, dribble and get the right feel for the ball again so we can do what we all love.
"We’re all really excited to be getting back to some normality and we’re all going to do everything we possibly can to make sure our training is as safe as it can be."
