Ruben Amorim oversaw the worst league finish in Manchester United history in the 2024/25 season.
The Red Devils ended the Premier League season in 15th, one spot lower than the 14th-place finish held by Erik ten Hag before his dismissal in October.
Although the domestic campaign was catastrophic by all accounts, Ruben Amorim envisions a long-term future at Old Trafford, and there is plenty of reason for optimism ahead of the new season.
Manchester United will boast a new-look front line heading into the opening fixture against Arsenal on Sunday, following a string of impressive performances throughout pre-season.
New Manchester United signing Benjamin Sesko poses with a team shirt prior to the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina at Old Trafford
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Benjamin Sesko’s £74 million arrival from RB Leipzig has continued a surprisingly expensive transfer window in Manchester, after the big-money acquisitions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Nevertheless, a lack of European football at Old Trafford will allow Amorim to solely focus on the Premier League this season, and Wayne Rooney is backing his former employers to surprise everyone.
Rooney backs Manchester United for Champions League qualification
Rooney offered his 2025/26 Premier League predictions live on BBC Sport’s Match of the Day, where he will be a regular pundit for the upcoming season, and claimed Manchester United will finish in the Champions League spots.
“Yeah, as I said, I still think they need one or two more signings, but I think Amorim, I can see what he’s doing and think it’s looking better for Manchester United, and I think they will sneak into the top five.”
The Red Devils, of course, missed out on the opportunity to qualify for Europe’s elite competition after the 1-0 loss against Tottenham in the Europa League final in May.
However, the aforementioned signings Rooney mentioned that could take Manchester United to the next level this season may come to fruition.
TBR Football exclusively revealed Manchester United want to sign Carlos Baleba this summer, albeit negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion are proving difficult.
Furthermore, the Red Devils are rivalling Manchester City for Gianluigi Donnarumma. Following his exclusion from PSG’s UEFA Super Cup squad, he will be allowed to leave Paris.
Carlos Baleba could be the difference maker for Manchester United
According to TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, Manchester United do have Baleba alternatives in mind should a deal with Brighton fail to materialise.
The shortlist boasts some impressive names, including Angelo Stiller of Stuttgart, Amorim’s former midfielder Morten Hjulmand at Sporting CP, and Athletic Bilbao’s Mikel Jauregizar, who, of course, scored a wonder goal at Old Trafford in the Europa League last season.
Carlos Baleba of Brighton looks o during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Nevertheless, no name among the six-man shortlist stands in comparison to Baleba, who once again emphasises Brighton’s prowess in the transfer market as he seamlessly replaced £110 million man Moises Caicedo at the American Express Stadium.
With Casemiro slowing down in the twilight years of his career and concern surrounding Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo, Baleba could be the perfect candidate to propel Manchester United into the upper echelons of the Premier League.