Man Utd's pre-season schedule has concluded and the Reds begin the 2025/2026 campaign against Arsenal on Sunday.
Amad is expected to start against Arsenal.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
The 2025/2026 Premier League season is just around the corner for Manchester United.
United will begin the campaign by welcoming Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, and Ruben Amorim's selection will be influenced by which players impress in training this week.
"That is a good thing, it's supposed to be like that, not like last season when we had to struggle to put 11 players on the pitch," Amorim said when asked about having a selection headache.
"This is a normal thing, so I have to think and they need to fight during the week so they can change my mind. I have one idea, but they can change my mind during the week."
It was interesting to hear Amorim admit he has an "idea" of what his starting XI will look like on the campaign's opening day, although his selection in pre-season suggests there are only two guaranteed starters.
Bruno Fernandes and Amad were the only players to emerge with credit from last season and they are the only United players to have started in each of the five pre-season friendlies.
The pair started against Leeds in Sweden, against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton in the United States, and also started in the final friendly of the summer against Fiorentina at Old Trafford last weekend.
Fernandes has operated in the No.10 role and in the deeper midfield position. Amad has started four games as a right wing-back, but made a single appearance in the No.10 position against Bournemouth.
It seems Amorim has settled on Amad's position for the start of the new campaign. The 23-year-old can still contribute to attacking play from the wing back role and Amorim was spotted applauding his work rate against Fiorentina.
United need more attacking threat against sides who deploy a low-block and playing Amad at wing-back in those scenarios is logical, given his quality going forward and creative flair.
Amad is also willing to play wherever he is required. "Playing at right wing-back, I know you have to do a lot of running, you have to attack and have to defend," he said in April. "Maybe I don't have the same quality as Nouss because I'm more of a forward than a defender, so I push more."
It remains to be seen where Amorim will play Fernandes against Arsenal. He is guaranteed to start, but fans will be debating which role Fernandes will operate in up until the starting teams are confirmed.
United spent a combined £127.5million on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and both players are expected to predominantly play in the No.10 positions. Does that mean Fernandes is used in the pivot more often than not?
In truth, it probably doesn't matter where Fernandes records the majority of his minutes because he performs regardless. The 30-year-old is remarkably consistent with his displays.
Nonetheless, it will be a talking point, especially with concerns about the midfield ahead of the new season. Fernandes playing alongside Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, or Casemiro is not hugely convincing, which explains why Amorim wants to sign a new midfielder before the transfer deadline.
Leny Yoro and Cunha deserve honourable mentions when discussing the guaranteed starters for Arsenal on Sunday. Yoro has started in every game except the opening pre-season clash against Leeds and Cunha only missed the game against Bournemouth due to struggling with fatigue.
They are highly likely to start with Fernandes and Amad against the Gunners at Old Trafford.