Ruben Amorim believes his Manchester United side are benefiting from a positive pre-season campaign.
The 2025/26 Premier League season is underway, and Manchester United suffered a 1-0 defeat against Arsenal on the opening weekend. The Red Devils’ performance was worthy of more, but a howler committed by back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayindir proved costly.
United went into the new season after finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham the previous term. After the club’s worst top-flight campaign since being relegated 51 years ago, Ruben Amorim will face extra scrutiny if he is unable to turn things around.
Ineos have made four signings to bolster Amorim’s squad over the summer. The new arrivals include Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
Those new arrivals will hopefully help United in the final third, after managing just 44 goals in the Premier League last term.
Ruben Amorim in T-shirt claps at Old Trafford
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Man Utd playing with more confidence
Improvements are expected at United following a summer rebuild.
Although United lost the final game of the season, there was a reason why optimism grew over the summer.
Amorim’s side were unbeaten during pre-season, with the new signings making a positive impact.
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The performance against Arsenal was impressive enough to leave Amorim heartened by the display ahead of the upcoming game against Fulham.
“When we are playing, I think you can see we are more confident,” Amorim told reporters.
“I feel the team is more free playing the game and that is something that I watched during all the games since we start this season, so that is a good thing. But every week is a test, and we need to be there.
“In the end the result we cannot control but we need to do everything to win the games. But the first thing is we need to be consistent in the small things and important things.”
Amorim was questioned further on why he feels the players seem freer. He added: “Maybe when you have a good performance, even in pre-season, you get confidence.
“Then you have more time to train, you have more time to understand the way we play, you are free.
“You don’t need to think all the time ‘what should I do in these situations?’ So, it’s already in their minds. It’s a lot of things, it’s hard to point to one reason.”
However, away from mentality, Amorim can see other improvements in the team after feeling the team lacked physicality after succeeding Erik ten Hag in the hotseat.
“Yeah, I think you can see that. That is a fact because you can see with the data.
“Then with confidence sometimes you react a little bit sooner and you are near the ball.
“Against Arsenal, we were sometimes building up, but we had to kick the ball, and you can see the reaction of our players in the second ball, the duels. We are stronger, we are recovering position faster.
“I remember at least two times in the corner, one time with (Martin) Odegaard running with the ball and you can look at our players and we are sprinting full power. Even Casemiro, he’s in a different pace.
“So, all these things, I can watch the games since we start the season and we are consistent in that, so that is really important.”
Man Utd next 5 matches
United fans will have a greater idea of how much the team have improved over the summer after the next five matches.
After Fulham, United will kick off their Carabao Cup campaign against Grimsby Town on Wednesday night.
The following three league fixtures will see United take on Burnley before facing Man City and Chelsea.
Fulham (Premier League)
Grimsby Town (Carabao Cup)
Burnley (Premier League)
Man City (Premier League)
Chelsea (Premier League)
It goes without saying that United need to start picking up three points after losing to Arsenal last weekend. Otherwise, we will be left behind by the top teams in the league table.