The mood around Man United has significantly improved ahead of the new 2025/2026 Premier League season.
The outlook is positive at Old Trafford.(Image: Getty Images)
Benjamin Sesko has been secured from RB Leipzig. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are already through the door. Ruben Amorim oversaw an encouraging pre-season in the United States. Carrington has received a £50milliom makeover and the facilities are now befitting of England's biggest club.
There are plenty of reasons to feel positive as a Manchester United fan, just 76 days since a disastrous Premier League campaign concluded against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
United ended the season with a 2-0 victory against Villa, but the result did not matter because Tottenham Hotspur had lifted the Europa League in Bilbao just a few days earlier.
An unlikeable team could not salvage a trophy from the worst season at the club in 51 years, which meant there would be no European football played at Old Trafford in 2025/2026.
However, the mood is optimistic heading into the new campaign. Amorim has disposed of the 'bomb squad' and team morale has improved, which has been helped by the new signings.
Amorim has overhauled his attacking line in a single window. Cunha and Mbeumo are already proven in the Premier League and look tailor-made to start in the No.10 roles, while Sesko will sprinkle a dash of unpredictability.
Sesko clearly comes attached with risk, but he is undeniably an exciting addition and his explosiveness - he was a livewire at Euro 2024 - will help him adapt to the Premier League.
Sesko looked sharp at Euro 2024.(Image: 2024 Simon Stacpoole/Offside)
The 22-year-old turned down another club to sign for United. Newcastle made a more lucrative offer but the player always preferred a move to Old Trafford this summer.
Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko all have that in common: they turned down interest elsewhere because they were desperate to sign for United. Amorim wants the right personalities in his dressing room and has made a good start.
There is also a clean slate at Carrington for the players after the USA tour. The £50m makeover was officially unveiled on Friday and Sir Alex Ferguson attended to unveil a plaque in tribute to the late Kath Phipps.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada, and Jason Wilcox were also present, alongside Amorim, his coaching staff, and the first-team squad. Carrington is now a stunning facility and architectural firm Foster + Partners has delivered on their promise to create a world-class training environment.
With input from staff and players, priority has been placed on functionality, openness, and connectivity, with increased natural light and open workspaces throughout the main building.
Ratcliffe said: “Following a review of the facility last year, we made a quick decision to invest significantly in the creation of a world-class performance environment for staff and players to reflect our ambition and vision for Manchester United.
"We are delighted with the outcome and are confident the new facility will play an important role in building a winning culture at the club.”
Berrada added: "This project represents a clear step towards unifying every part of the club around a shared footballing vision. By bringing our staff and players closer together in one integrated environment, we are creating a culture of collaboration and high-performance.”
United's new Carrington training complex.(Image: Nigel Young / Foster + Partners)
In a previous interview, Berrarda said he has no doubt Carrington's refurbishment "will positively impact the performance" of the team. The makeover can only be a huge positive, and it adds to the positive feeling around the club.
Everything points toward a positive Premier League campaign, and the only thing that can stop dampen the mood will be bad results.
Only results will matter when the season gets under way. United simply cannot afford to start slowly because the pressure on Amorim's shoulders would increase.
United have moved on from last season and it's firmly in their rear-view mirror. There are new players and a new training ground, but the memories from 2024/2025 will creep back in if United begin poorly.
Arsenal will pose a huge challenge on the opening day of the season and Fulham away is another tricky fixture.
Burnley is the final game in August before the Manchester derby in September. United will be hoping for at least six points from their opening three matches. Nine points would bring the positivity to an even higher level.