There was a lot of soul searching within the club and amongst the fanbase after the disastrous 2024/25 season as coined by head coach Ruben Amorim. 42 points from 38 Premier League games was the joint fewest we had gathered in the top flight since we were relegated back in 1973/74 with only 32.
We finished in 15th place winning 11 games and scoring 44 goals, only fewer than 44 in 2024-25, 38 in 1973-74.
Disappointment also came in the UEFA Europa League final too losing out to Tottenham 1-0 in what had to be one of the worst matches to watch. Even if United had managed to win, it would have just papered over the cracks that have been deep rooted within the club for god knows how long.
The club and the fans must look forward to dealing with the new reality as it is the first season since the 2014-15 season that there will no European football at Old Trafford. There is the argument without these extra matches, it will help the team in having a reduced schedule plus ignoring the fact of the funds we would have received from UEFA to help with the coffers at the club.
Looking back at the last season, the bar was pretty low. Maybe there wasn’t even one to set.
Listening to the song ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ by D:Ream whilst writing this preview has me feeling optimistic again ahead of the new season. I cannot wait to be following the boys home and away and there are probably going to be times where this side does disappoint us again. Would I have it any other way?
No is the answer.
Expectations for the season
The expectation will be to get back into Europe for the following season. Mason Mount pretty said as much during the Premier League Summer Series in the USA – “I think that is a massive, massive thing for the club. Europe, that’s the focus.”
It is going to be a fight to achieve that qualification. We finished a considerable 24 points behind Newcastle who claimed the last Champions League spot with a 5th place finish. Just like us, our rivals have been active in the transfer window this summer strengthening their squads.
I think a top 5 finish is achievable. Others may think that might be too high considering the lowly 15th place we achieved last season. United can be the best of the rest. With one game a week, it will see more time on the training pitch between matches. Ruben Amorim had hinted several times last season he was struggling to implement a tactical overhaul when they were having games every 3 days.
Obviously, there would be those they would said he did not have to change things quite so much having come in during mid-season. However, in getting everyone use to his system and style, we had to endured to some short-term pain for hopefully long-term gain from this season onwards.
What’s new at United?
The new season has seen United open up their new state-of-the-art redeveloped Carrington training complex, and with a new forward line to spearhead the attack has seen optimism amongst the fanbase again. We have endured back-to-back disappointing Premier League campaigns, so here’s to hoping for a much better season.
Who have United signed?
In the final pre-season fixture against Fiorentina at Old Trafford, United unveiled Benjamin Šeško who has arrived from RB Leipzig for £74 million to head up our front line with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo signing from Brentford and Wolves respectively earlier on in the transfer window. Šeško is our third new forward we have signed in as many summers. With his physicality and athleticism should hopefully bring to end the issues we had been having in the final third during the last campaign.
Cunha and Mbeumo will act as our number 10s putting some much needed energy into our attack that was severely lacking last season too. Diego Leon was signed back in January to arrive in the summer being seen as a player for the future and will not be sent out on loan with United viewing that he should remain with the first team squad throughout the season.
Who has left United?
Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all left the club at the end of the season following the expiration of their contracts. Though the latter has returned in the role of Head of Loans and Pathways. In this position, he will work with the club’s young players, particularly those on loan, to help them progress and potentially integrate into the first team.
Marcus Rashford has made a loan move to Barcelona for the 2025/26 season with the Catalan club having option to buy come the end of the campaign. Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho have all been told to find new clubs as United seek to move them on.
How United have fared in pre-season?
The Reds began their pre-season with a 0-0 draw against rivals Leeds United in Stockholm last month where we saw Matheus Cunha get his first 45 minutes on the pitch. It was over to the USA for the Premier League Summer Series, where United saw 2 wins and a draw against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton respectively to win the tournament.
Old Trafford saw our final game of the pre-season against Fiorentina to win 5-4 on penalties and claimed the Snapdragon Cup.
The Coach
To be the United manager or head coach is a difficult job which nobody can deny it isn’t. The fans sing Ruben Amorim’s name to the Bonnie Tyler’s song It’s a Heartache. “He’ll bring the glory days again. We’ll back him from the Stretford End; he’ll turn the Reds around. Ruben Amorim” However, if United’s form continues like it did from last season, which was relegation form into the next campaign, then credit in the bank for him will start evaporating very quickly.
On the pre-season tour, he said, “I want to stay 20 (years). That is my goal, and I truly believe in that. Something will happen. In some moments, I will be lucky. I had a lot of luck during my career as a manager, and my idea is to stay for many years.” Amorim has always be honest in his assessment of the club and what he is trying to do, which has been refreshing to hear amongst the United fanbase.
Key Player
It has to be our captain Bruno Fernandes again. The Portuguese Magnifico could have left he club for £100 million to join Saudi side Al Hilal in the summer but went onto refuse this huge offer. Our playmaker will be making tackles, driving forward, creating chances and scoring goals. Where would United be without him? Who knows.
One to watch
Ayden Heaven. When he was signed from Arsenal last season, it was not expected for him to be in the first team straight away. However, when he did make his debut against Fulham he was winning fouls under pressure to beating the press and making crucial tackles and has not looked back since then. It will be interesting to see the partnership between him and Leny Yoro developed over the course of the season.
The new season is upon us
We will have more time on the training pitch with fewer games this season and improvements should be seen all around. Champions League qualification is the bare minimum that this team should achieved. As long as we see effort, consistency, better attitude and more wins then I have no doubt this season will be a vast improvement on the last campaign.
Come on United!