Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United need to right their wrongs from last season – and starting strong amid plenty of new faces will be imperative to the feeling in the Old Trafford echo chamber. And with the start of the Premier League season impending, that also means that Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is nearing a return.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, despite the fact the English club finished 15th and lost the Europa League final last season, were all convinced to join Amorim’s project over the summer – but what is the FPL landscape saying?
From what the millions of FPL managers have learned from the Old Trafford outfit’s pre-season tour, to which Manchester United player can be considered underpriced, to a name that can be a set-and-forget pick, let’s take a closer look, shall we?
Pre-Season Lessons
bruno fernandes
It was largely positive for the Red Devils as they kicked things off with a 0-0 draw with Leeds United in Stockholm. The Premier League Summer Series, which Amorim and Co ended up reigning victorious in, followed – and it was kick-started by a 2-1 win against West Ham United.
Interestingly, the out-of-favour Rasmus Hojlund led the line against the capital club, and he also started against Bournemouth, scoring within eight minutes. Elsewhere, Chido Obi was Amorim's centre-forward option against Leeds but struggled for memorable gametime outside that match.
The best victory of their pre-season tour was a 4-1 triumph over Bournemouth: the Red Devils linked well in attack with Mason Mount, who impressed once again, and Amad operating in the two No.10 roles. Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw made up the three-man defence.
Man Utd – Pre-Season Results
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As a means of gearing up for the 2025/26 campaign, the summer additions of Mbeumo and Cunha started against both Everton and Fiorentina as the Red Devils beat the latter on penalties. Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte also played plenty of minutes in the middle of the park.
Amorim’s 3-4-3 system was tried and trusted with Sporting CP in the Portuguese top flight, but it’s certainly raised eyebrows in England’s top flight since his arrival in November 2024, with the higher physicality often making the most of the two-man engine room.
Underpriced Gem – Patrick Dorgu
patrick dorgu
If you’re looking to get a Manchester United player into your FPL side, but you’re not looking to spend big bucks, look no further than Patrick Dorgu. With Luke Shaw perennially injured, the Danish left-back was picked up in the January transfer window.
Youngster Diego Leon has also joined Amorim’s side this summer – but his inexperience means that Dorgu is likely to be a nailed-on starter in the 2025/26 campaign. Such information could make a mockery of his relatively cheap price tag.
What makes him such an impressive pick is his license to get forward on the left-hand side. Accustomed to getting high and wide with the three centre-backs doing a lot of the heavy lifting, he’ll have the benefit of delivering crosses to the likes of Sesko, Mbeumo and Cunha. He could be a real sleeper pick.
Watch Dorgu in action for Manchester United in pre-season:
It should be added that Dorgu, 20, failed to register a goal or assist in 12 Premier League appearances in 2025/26; but he certainly showed flashes of attacking brilliance, which included 12 key passes for teammates and one big chance.
Copenhagen-born Dorgu looked sharp in pre-season, having notched a goal and an assist against Bournemouth. Manchester United’s collection of defenders largely range between £4.5 and £5.0m – and Dorgu being at the cheaper end of the spectrum is a steal.
Set and Forget Pick – Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes applauding Manchester United fans
Where Bruno Fernandes will play for Amorim this season remains unknown. With Mbeumo and Cunha both through the door, central midfield seems his most likely position, which, in turn, would naturally affect his ability to score and assist.
The Portuguese has been a talisman for the Red Devils in seasons gone by and, although it seems he will be playing in a deeper midfield role this season, that doesn’t automatically mean that he’ll drop off in terms of returns. His enviable availability also means that he’ll likely start the majority of games.
Fernandes, widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, also has penalties, set-pieces – which Sesko should benefit from – and open-play assist threat. Irrespective of the club’s tough early run-in, Fernandes is likely to provide.
With a more defence-minded midfielder next to him, Fernandes is Manchester United’s best FPL asset by far. In 2024/25, his eight goals and 11 assists saw him chalk up 174 points.
The introduction of Defensive Contribution (DEFCON) points also means that additional points (beyond the obvious goals and assists) are also up for grabs. Last season, Fernandes would have been the fourth-best midfielder with 22 extra points.