Manchester United head into the 2025/26 campaign looking to bounce back from a tumultuous 2024/25 season that marked their worst-ever English Premier League finish, placing 15th and accumulating just 42 points.
Ruben Amorim, who took charge in November, faced an uphill battle to stabilise the team and implement his philosophy. Despite flashes of improvement, the season ended without the resurgence that had been hoped for, leaving a summer of transformation and a full pre-season as vital to turning their fortunes around.
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Now armed with time for training and a transfer window, Amorim has the chance to rebuild Man Utd in his vision, and the Red Devils will be hoping that the Portuguese boss can lead them back toward the top of the standings next term. But how could they look for their opener at home to Arsenal on 17 August?
Potential Line-Up For 2025/26 Season Opener
GK – Andre Onana
- Man Utd have been linked with potential goalkeeper signings, but a limited budget means Onana is expected to remain between the sticks. The Red Devils will benefit from Onana’s on-the-ball ability, as the goalkeeper excels at short passes and beginning the build-up play from the back.
CB – Noussair Mazraoui
- Mazraoui was a standout performer last season, and the full-back turned central defender should keep his place in the team. His ability to combine with players ahead of him helps Man Utd in the attack, while he is a superb one-to-one defender.
CB – Matthijs De Ligt
- De Ligt and Harry Maguire have been able to rotate in central defence, with both capable of long passes to switch the play to the wing backs with either their left or right foot – a key part of Amorim’s system.
CB – Leny Yoro
- After a shaky start, Yoro grew into the role on the left side of defence for Amorim, with his ability to drive forward into the opposition half a vital component for the Man Utd system, while his defensive ability has also hugely impressed.
RWB – Amad
- Amorim has often started Amad as a wing-back, but the Ivorian is tasked with being one of Man Utd’s most influential players in the final third. Amad is often the trigger for the press, while his combination play and ability to drive with the ball are both hugely important to Man Utd’s attacking play.
CM – Bruno Fernandes
- Man Utd’s star man and captain, Fernandes has thrived in a slightly deeper position under Amorim. The Portuguese magnifico is able to dictate the play and pick out passes behind the opposition defence while also threatening with shots from range, while the intensity of his running also makes him important when defending.
CM – Manuel Ugarte
- Ugarte struggled at times in his first season, but the midfielder has previously played under Amorim at Sporting and is expected to play a much more important role this season. The Uruguayan excels at breaking up the play, often topping the charts for tackles and interceptions, and that is vital to Amorim’s high intensity defensive structure.
LWB – Patrick Dorgu
- Dorgu showed plenty of promising signs after joining in January, with his pace and power lifting the physical floor of the Man Utd team, while his delivery from wide areas has also been largely impressive.
AM – Bryan Mbeumo
- Mbeumo has been heavily linked with Man Utd in recent weeks, with the Brentford man supposedly extremely keen on joining the Red Devils. His goalscoring ability could be key for a team that struggled for goals last season, while being able to double up with Amad on the right wing could prove a fruitful partnership.
AM – Matheus Cunha
- Cunha is Man Utd’s first and only signing thus far, and the Brazilian could prove to be a pivotal signing in the future of the club. His ability to drive forward with the ball and go past defenders with ease, while also holding a huge goal threat from close and long range, means he could be a huge figure in leading Man Utd back to the top of the Premier League.
ST – Hugo Ekitike
- Arguably the most important position for Man Utd to improve this summer is the striker position, with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund managing just 17 goals between them throughout last season. Ekitike is one of several names on Amorim’s list, and the 22-year-old that scored 22 goals last term could thrive in this front line. Ekitike, Mbeumo and Cunha would be able to fluidly swap positions in this front three, with the pace, finishing and link-up play being the most impressive parts of all of their talents.
Other Potential Signings
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There have been reports that Man Utd will look for another left-wing-back to share the role with Dorgu, while a central midfielder such as Carlos Baleba, Morten Hjulmand or Ederson could be signed to partner Fernandes.
A goalkeeper may also be on the list, but any deal is unlikely to be done until later in the window, with other more important areas to improve upon, while the Red Devils will also need to sell to buy with funds limited.
In attack, as already mentioned, a striker is supposedly top of the list, with Ekitike, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen all linked, and all three would provide similar styles as they are powerful and ruthless finishers, while they could fluidly connect with Mbeumo and Cunha superbly in the potential front three.
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