Manchester United 2025-26 season preview: Expected POTS, strongest XI, JJ Gabriel and more
Manchester United are gearing up for a pivotal 2025-26 season under the leadership of INEOS.
United were truly embarrassing last season, finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the UEFA Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
The 2024-25 campaign started with the traces of positivity after a memorable FA Cup win over Manchester City.
Former manager Erik ten Hag, backed heavily once again in the transfer market, failed to deliver the performances his squad promised.
The players, lacking fight and conviction, ultimately saw their manager shown the door.
Ruben Amorim stepped in, but a radical shift in tactics and formations almost erased whatever momentum was left in the final seven months.
It has been a summer of big changes at United and the one that they desperately needed.
Transfers In
Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko
INEOS have stunned critics by splashing out around £200 million on reinforcements.
United lacked the cutting edge in attack, netting only 44 league goals last term.
They acknowledged the issue and signed two proven Premier League attackers in Cunha and Mbeumo.
The rebuild up front was completed with the capture of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
The 22-year-old may still have to prove himself at a global giant, but his ceiling is enormous.
Signed from Paraguayan outfit Cerro Porteno, Leon is set to provide cover for Patrick Dorgu in the left wing-back spot.
Transfers out
Christian Eriksen (contract expired), Victor Lindelof (contract expired), Jonny Evans (retired), Marcus Rashford (loan)
United decided against extending the contracts of Eriksen and Lindelof.
Club stalwart Jonny Evans hung up his boots, bringing a superb career to a close.
Rashford sealed his dream loan move to Barcelona, with the La Liga club covering his entire salary. The expectation is that Barcelona will make the deal permanent next summer.
Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia are deemed surplus to requirements and could seal a move away from Old Trafford in the next three weeks.
Expected Player of the Season
Bruno Fernandes.
Three new forwards may have arrived, but Fernandes remains United’s heartbeat and creative spark.
Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal offered an outrageous salary to Fernandes but he chose to stay put.
He is arguably the best creative midfielder in the Premier League.
Even in United’s most disappointing season, he bagged 19 goals and 19 assists in 57 games.
He has already claimed the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award four times, matching the feat of David de Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Another Player of the Season award would cement his place in United’s storied history.
What fans should be excited about
Amorim had made no secret of his concerns about United’s lack of physical endurance in the Premier League.
It was very evident from the first day of the pre-season that the players are looking much leaner and sharper.
The young core of Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro, and Kobbie Mainoo have noticeably bulked up, ready to handle the intense physicality of the league.
After two seasons plagued by injuries, United appear to have set a ruthless new fitness standard.
What fans should worry about
Carrington may be upgraded, the fitness bar may be raised, and the squad may finally look like a united force but all of it means little without wins.
However, Amorim will ultimately be judged on results.
A poor run of form could quickly turn optimism into unrest, dragging United back into yet another painful managerial transition.
A positive start to the season is required, but facing Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea in the first five games would be a challenging task.
Academy star to watch out for
United possesses a great pool of talented youngsters like Harry Amass and Chido Obi. We wanted to choose a player who has yet to make his debut for the club.
We strongly believe that the 14-year-old forward JJ Gabriel could be the next big thing in football.
Despite interest from other clubs this summer, Gabriel pledged his future to the Red Devils.
With Obi likely stepping into the senior set-up, the door opens for Gabriel to shine at the under-18 level.
The teenager is supremely talented and one to watch out for this campaign.
Strongest XI
Andre Onana – Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez – Amad Diallo, Patrick Dorgu – Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes – Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko
Prediction for 2025-26
For only the second time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, United will enter a season without European football.
With fewer fixtures on the calendar, Amorim’s side must channel all their energy into the Premier League and domestic cups.
INEOS’s heavy summer investment has left the squad looking far stronger than the fragile unit of last year.
A top-six league finish coupled with an FA Cup or Carabao Cup triumph should be the benchmark for Amorim and his team.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .