Top six talking points as Manchester United gear up for pre-season 2025

The Red Devils have many issues going on that need to be addressed.

Manchester United still have enough time to resolve many internal problems over the upcoming month as they attempt to make up for a dismal performance last season.

United’s previous two preseason trips to the United States included matches against Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Borussia Dortmund. This time they will face: West Ham United, Everton, and Bournemouth, and more.

The disparity in opponents’ quality reveals a lot about United’s decline in reputation. In fact, the majority of the clubs that United considers to be their rivals are not coming to the US this year.

During the transfer window as well, Manchester United have been inactive. They have only announced the arrival of Matheus Cunha and finalised the pre-arranged deal for Paraguayan youth Diego Leon. It seems the club have been extremely hesitant to engage in the transfer market.

However, although they are chasing only a narrow crop of players, reportedly, in that department, also, bad news has surfaced. The anticipated signing of Bryan Mbeumo has stalled over the transfer fee.

The upcoming month is critical for Manchester United as they get ready to make amends for the previous season. Ruben Amorim publicly acknowledged it was “a disaster.” As Amorim and his team start to work, we name six things Manchester United fans should have their thoughts on during pre-season.

6. Goalkeeper dilemma

After a second lacklustre season, Andre Onana is in a precarious position. Even his position as Manchester United’s number one was up for discussion when he reported for preseason training. He missed several of their practice sessions after injuring his hamstring in less than a week.

Even if Onana has a lot of detractors, the other possibilities between sticks are even less compelling. So the injury poses a serious dilemma for Manchester United.

In almost every game he has played, Altay Bayindir has garnered negative publicity. It is believed that he wishes to leave the team in pursuit of more consistent football. Tom Heaton, the 39-year-old third-choice goalie, hasn’t appeared in a first-team game since February 2023.

The club, which only two years ago paid £47 million ($63 million) to get Onana from Inter Milan, believed they wouldn’t have to worry about the position. But as things stand, it is far from ideal.

5. Will Matheus Cunha reinforce United’s attack?

The spotlight will be on Matheus Cunha during preseason and when the official season starts. He has been hailed as a game-changing acquisition. The 26-year-old, who was born the day after Manchester United won the treble in 1999, has already been compared to Eric Cantona by chief executive Omar Berrada.

He also received the coveted No. 10 shirt, which he took from Marcus Rashford before the England striker had even chosen a new club. Additionally, he possesses the talismanic quality that Manchester United sorely lack, which should make him an extremely captivating player to watch.

Introducing our new number 🔟: Matheus Cunha 🇧🇷

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 8, 2025

4. Will Ruben Amorim’s second season be different?

Generally, if a coach oversaw a team’s worst season in fifty-one years, he would enter the following season in a state of uncertainty. But Amorim, ironically, continues to exercise a great deal of power, just as he has done from the beginning.

Less than a month after becoming the manager, he cut the homegrown talent Rashford from the team. The man also subsequently informed Alejandro Garnacho, one of the team’s few remaining attacking players, that he must also leave.

The preseason campaign must be something Amorim is eager for because Manchester United have yet to adopt his preferred style of play. He also has the chance to improve the team’s fitness levels, which he quickly discovered were far lower than other players of other clubs in the league.

The coach should benefit from the fact that Manchester United will play four Premier League opponents in the upcoming month.

3. Rasmus Hojlund’s form

By the close of the previous season, Rasmus Hojlund appeared to be a waste of money. In the 34 games he played between December and May, he only managed three goals. At times, it seemed like he was eager for the season to end.

Even the postseason trip of Asia was a nightmare for the unfortunate Dane, who did not score against ASEAN All Stars and Hong Kong. He then watched on as 17-year-old Chido Obi replaced him in the latter game and led Manchester United to a thrilling victory.

If he is unable to score goals and has a bad experience in the United States, the club may want to speed up his departure.

2. Future of Rashford, Garnacho

Marcus Rashford and Garnacho, along with other undesired wingers Jadon Sancho and Antony, are unlikely to play in any of the preseason games as they continue their hunt for a new team.

However, the more time they spend without getting new clubs, the more of a distraction they will be to Amorim.

1. Where will Kobbie Mainoo fit in?

During the first two months of the Portuguese coach’s stint, Kobbie Mainoo was used in a number of positions, notably as a false nine against Crystal Palace, which had disastrous repercussions. But he hasn’t played much since coming back from an eight-week injury layoff.

It is quite puzzling that Mainoo does not appear to be highly rated by Amorim, given that he was an important member of Erik ten Hag’s team and a key player for England at Euro 2024. Therefore, the preseason is a great chance for Mainoo to prove himself to his boss and for Amorim to determine where he can be most helpful.

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