Ruben Amorim is entering his first full pre-season as Manchester United head coach. The "Red Devils" will fly to the US this week to participate in 3 matches in the Premier League's Summer Series.
Man United will start their 2025 summer tour with a match against West Ham at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey - the expected venue for the 2026 World Cup final.
Amorim's side will then face Bournemouth in Chicago. Man United's final match of their summer tour to the US will be against Everton in Atlanta.
A week later, the "Red Devils" will return to Old Trafford to welcome Fiorentina in the final friendly match before the new season. However, most of Amorim's work will be focused on this commercial and tactical trip across the Atlantic.
This is an opportunity for Amorim to experiment with the squad, evaluate the new recruits and build a new tactical identity for the 2025-2026 season.
Before Man United's tour in the US, these are 4 problems that Amorim needs to solve.
Improving the attack
Man United ended the 2024-2025 Premier League season with only 44 goals - their worst record in many years. Only 4 teams have scored fewer goals than the "Red Devils", and this number highlights an alarming reality. The ability to finish and create opportunities is currently a clear weakness in Amorim's squad.
New signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo will contribute significantly to this problem, but Amorim knows he still needs to sign a new No. 9 player to lead the Man United attack. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are simply not effective enough to take on this role.
Focus on Matheus Cunha
Although Man United had a goalless draw with newly promoted Leeds United in Stockholm, Amorim said he still saw some positive points, especially the connection between captain Bruno Fernandes and new signing Cunha.
That is the understanding Amorim wants to promote, with Cunha's determination, pace and ability to make a difference in the final third. This is something they lacked last season, when the burden was often on Fernandes' shoulders.
Establish a solid defense
The defense is the area where the "Red Devils" have the most depth, but Amorim will want to build a stable three-man system, supported by two full-backs that he can trust.
Injuries forced Amorim to rearrange his defense last season. However, the arrival of Diego Leon, along with the return from injury of Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw, will give Amorim more options.
Reorganizing the midfield
Last season, opponents often conceded Man United's midfield easily, and that was a weakness that Amorim knew he needed to overcome. Casemiro has regained his form last season, but at the age of 33, he cannot be a reliable player in every match.
Manuel Ugarte has had a poor season, Kobbie Mainoo has declined in form and Mason Mount continues to suffer injuries. The recruitment of Cunha and Mbeumo means Casemiro and Fernandes are likely to play as dropping midfielders, but Man United still need a new midfielder.
