Manchester United: A Club at a Crossroads
1. A Disastrous 2024–25 Season
Manchester United endured one of their worst campaigns in modern history, finishing 15th in the Premier League—their lowest position since 1990–91—amassing just 42 points .
Their season saw an early exit from domestic cups, but they managed a deeper run in Europe, reaching the Europa League final—only to be defeated 1–0 by Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao on 21 May 2025 .
A leading critic graded their campaign an F, emphasizing managerial instability, lack of cohesion, and poor attacking output .
2. Managerial and Structural Overhaul
After starting with Erik ten Hag and a short interim phase under Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rúben Amorim took charge on 11 November 2024 .
His early highlights included a 2–1 derby win against Man City—the first for a United manager since Alex Ferguson .
However, inconsistency persisted, with Amorim lamenting his side as “probably the worst team in the history” of the club following a heavy loss to Brighton .
3. Reinforcing the Squad—Big Signings Underway
This summer has seen an aggressive push in the transfer market:
- Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig signed in a deal worth approximately £66.3M + £7.4M in add-ons, choosing United over Newcastle. He’s considered a central part of the team’s offensive rebuild .
- Sesko joins fellow attackers Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Diego León in the ongoing forward revamp .
- Offloading appears to be the plan, with Alejandro Garnacho in discussions with Chelsea (United asking £50M) and potential departures including Sancho, Antony, Malacia, and even Mainoo .
4. Looking Ahead: Infrastructure and Pre-Season Tour
- The club announced plans for their ambitious “New Trafford Stadium”, a 100,000-seat arena designed by Foster + Partners, targeting opening by the 2030–31 season .
- Meanwhile, the squad is undertaking its 2025 pre-season tour, featuring friendlies in Asia, Sweden, the USA, and concluding with a 1–1 draw vs. Fiorentina in the Snapdragon Cup at Old Trafford .
Summary: Heading into 2025–26
- United enter the new season amid deep crisis rebuilding efforts—recovering from their worst finish in decades.
- Rúben Amorim must deliver significant improvement amid mounting pressure and overhaul.
- The summer has brought widespread roster changes, with a clear focus on fortifying the attacking lineup.
- While domestic form remains a concern, long-term moves (like the new stadium) signal ambition and intent to restore the club’s former stature.