Manchester United 2025-26 Season Preview: Five Burning Questions
The Premier League kicks off this week and Manchester United enter the new campaign in the middle of yet another rebuild. Last year was a disaster and now the question is whether Ruben Amorim’s side can bounce back.
1. Could a Season Without Europe Be a Blessing in Disguise?
No way around it, the 2024-25 season was one of United’s worst in decades.
They collected just 42 points, their joint lowest tally since relegation in 1973-74 when they earned only 32. They finished 15th, scored only 44 league goals, and even lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.
The silver lining is that they will not be in Europe this season for the first time since 2014-15. Amorim has suggested that a lighter schedule could help his team bed in tactically, especially after struggling to implement his system while playing every three days. More training time could mean sharper performances and possibly fewer injuries, though it also means no European prize money.
Last year injuries ravaged the squad. United lost 1,295 player-days to injury or illness, fifth worst in the league, with defensive partnerships constantly changing. Fewer games could reduce the strain, but it is no guarantee. Ipswich and Brighton had no Europe either and still suffered.
2. Will Cunha and Mbeumo Fix the Attack?
United’s 44 goals last season were their fewest in Premier League history. Remove own goals, and they had the worst finishing record in the league after Crystal Palace, underperforming their xG by -11.5.
Enter Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who combined for 43 non penalty goal involvements last season. Amorim hopes their movement and creativity from the number 10 roles will give United a sharper cutting edge and open up space for wing backs.
Last season wastefulness was a squad wide problem. Bruno Fernandes was the worst offender in terms of xG underperformance (-2.6), while Mason Mount, Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, and Alejandro Garnacho also struggled. Amorim often felt Garnacho did not suit the inside number 10 role, preferring to drift wide. Cunha and Mbeumo, by contrast, are more comfortable operating centrally and in tight spaces.
3. Can Amorim Find the Right Midfield Pairing?
Up front the lineup feels fairly set. Midfield is a different story.
Amorim’s current options – Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, and Manuel Ugarte – all come with drawbacks. Fernandes is undroppable as captain, but pairing him with Mainoo leaves United light defensively. Ugarte can break up play but struggles to dictate tempo. Casemiro’s quality is clear, but at 33 the Premier League’s pace has caught up with him.
United have been linked with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, but signing him would be costly. Until reinforcements arrive, midfield remains United’s biggest vulnerability.
4. Can André Onana Win Back Trust?
Reports in July linked United with a loan move for Emiliano Martínez, hardly a show of confidence in André Onana.
Since arriving from Inter, Onana has committed eight errors leading to goals across all competitions, only Bart Verbruggen has more. While his distribution is elite, his reliability in goal is questionable. With Altay Bayindir failing to impress as backup, Onana will likely start the season as number one, but this feels like a make or break year for him.
5. Is Benjamin Sesko the Upgrade United Need Over Højlund?
United finally got their striker Benjamin Sesko in a £66m deal from RB Leipzig.
Rasmus Højlund struggled badly last season, scoring only four league goals and ranking last among forwards for duel success rate (29.5%). Sesko offers a stronger aerial presence (57.1% aerial duel success) and more shot volume, though his penalty box positioning still needs work.
Where Sesko thrives is variety. He is quick, tall, and strong, comfortable both running in behind and linking play. Supported by Cunha and Mbeumo, United’s attack should have more balance and threat than last year.
United have addressed their glaring need for goals, but midfield balance and defensive stability remain question marks. With no European football Amorim has fewer excuses and more time to turn training ground theory into matchday results.
This season will show whether Manchester United are on the road to revival or stuck in yet another false dawn.
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