Manchester United had a difficult end to the previous campaign. They finished 15th in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
The club won’t be playing European football as a result, but that could be a blessing in disguise as manager Ruben Amorim will get more training sessions with the squad.
Prior to the 2025/26 campaign, United need ideal preparation in pre-season. The Red Devils will take on Leeds United in the opening friendly of the summer at Stockholm, Norway on July 19.
United will soon after travel to the United States for the second edition of the Premier League Summer Series. They will face West Ham United in the opening game on July 27 in New Jersey.
After the Hammers, the club will take on Bournemouth and Everton in Chicago and Atlanta respectively in the space of four days before returning to Old Trafford for the final pre-season friendly.
The Mancunian giants will host Fiorentina on August 9, just eight days before the Premier League curtain-raiser against arch-rivals Arsenal at home.
July 19: Leeds – Strawberry Arena, Stockholm, 2 pm (All times in BST)
July 27: West Ham – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, 12 am
July 31: Bournemouth – Soldier Field, Chicago, 2.30 am
August 3: Everton – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 10 pm
August 9: Fiorentina – Old Trafford, 12.45pm
The majority of the United squad have returned to training, and Amorim will no doubt want to field his best starting line-up when the club host Arsenal next month.
Pre-season offers the perfect time to build up form and fitness. There will be plenty of rotation, but let’s have a look at how United could line up with the current group.
Andre Onana has already been ruled out for eight weeks with a hamstring injury. Altay Bayindir is poised to start between the sticks unless the Red Devils sign a new shot-stopper.
Diogo Dalot was Amorim’s undisputed starter in the wing-back positions last term until his calf injury. The Portuguese should start at right wing-back with Patrick Dorgu on the opposite end.
Harry Maguire’s bright end to last season should get him the nod in the middle of the back three with Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro on either side. Noussair Mazraoui could be rotated with De Ligt.
Lisandro Martinez may not be rushed back to action after a long-term knee injury.
In midfield, Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes should be the likely pairing. Ugarte was surprisingly on the bench for the Europa League final, but we would have preferred him over Casemiro.
Despite Casemiro’s resurgence in Europe earlier this year, he is no longer in the prime of his career. The Brazilian has struggled with the higher intensity and high press of the Premier League.
Matheus Cunha and Amad Diallo are the strongest pair for the number 10 roles ahead of Mason Mount. The scenario could change if Bryan Mbeumo is signed. He would certainly replace Amad in the XI.
With no new striker in sight, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are poised to share the minutes in the no.9 role. Hojlund looks the likelier candidate to make the starting line-up for the curtain-raiser.
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