Manchester United managed to win the Premier League Summer Series during their preseason tour in the US, but if they want to eradicate the pain that ended up 15th last season, they still need to do much.
Manchester United wants a clean slate this season after their disastrous 2024-25 campaign, which has been a very good case so far as this preseason is around.
Reuben Amorim has taken players on the US tour and they haven’t lost games yet in the preseason, but the coaches are primarily focused on the team’s fitness level and how they adapt to his tactics.
United concluded the signatures of Brian Mbeumo and Matthew Cunya with a big-budget fee, with both players facing Everton on Sunday, but after a 2-2 draw, Amorim shows what they still need to do in the best way to accommodate his new star.
The performance may have been the worst of the season so far, but Amorim’s side has certainly shown signs of improvement since last season, with the friendlies still playing Fiorentina before the huge Premier League opening game against Arsenal on August 17th.
With that in mind, Miller Football looked back at United’s preseason tour in the United States and looked back on the biggest things we’ve learned.
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Fernandez isn’t satisfied
All United need from their captain is to be dull and tell it as it is, and that’s exactly what they have from Bruno Fernandez.
The Portuguese star risks leaving after an approach from Saudi Arab Club Al-Hilal, and fans appreciate that he has decided to be placed – because he is exactly what this team needs to get back to the level they want.
Even after the friendly game, Fernandez was not happy with his performance and showed that during the game he accused his teammates of being “lazy.”
United abandoned the lead after Mason Mount moved the team back in the second half after Fernandez himself scored from a penalty spot.
“It’s been improved, but it’s not where we want it,” Fernandez said. “It’s a football game, and there’s always passion there. No matter what happens, it happens. There was nothing spicy in it. It’s normal and part of the game.
“It’s positive (US tour) and building bonds with players is good. Today it looks a bit lazy and needs to change that.”
Fernandez’s bold and brutal comments show that they don’t shift any further for the team, so they unite and unite for the season.
I still needed a new signature
United have only had two new signatures so far, and most supporters will tell you that given their disastrous season they need to arrive from the fullest. Despite being undefeated in the preseason, it was clear that United were screaming for more depth this summer.
Starting from behind the team, it’s clear that there’s a shortage of new goalkeepers, given his backup Altay Bayindir injury and question mark, which is thought to be hoping for more regular game time.
Also, Onana has been attacked due to some famous errors, allowing United to actually have more competition between the sticks, but the team can also carry out more depth in the defense and midfield, not to mention what to say in advance after a clear struggle in the offensive last season.
Fernandez spoke about the need for more signatures in his rant after Everton’s game, saying the team is screaming for more competition to help the players raise the game.
“I don’t want to dig into anyone, but I think the club is doing their best they can in terms of all the financial situation they’re talking about,” he said. “I don’t know about it. I’m not involved in it, but it was obvious that there was more competition for the players who were here.
“We needed more quality to everyone step up a little bit more and do more to get into the starting lineup, and I think that’s what the clubs and managers are trying to do.
A badly lack of reliable strikers
Benjamin Sesco is one of United’s interested players and has already discussed his signature with Red Bull Leipzig, but he faces tough competition with Newcastle, who can offer Champions League football.
As Amorim made a tactical gamble with playing the 3-4-1-2 formation, United lined up with Mbeumo and Cunya in their attack on Everton, but neither player is out towards the center and prefers a wide outing.
It would be fatal if the team could get Mbeumo and Cunha, both sides of clinical finishers like Sesko, who announced 21 goals in all competitions last season and 18 goals in the previous season. He is currently valued at £700 million.
United still have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee at their disposal, but the latter is currently injured, and the former still has a long way to go to show he is reliable.
Hojlund scored in a friendly 4-1 victory over Bournemouth, and the fact that he is included in the United US travel group and there is no “bomb squad” of unnecessary players left shows that Amorim still has faith in him.
According to recent reports, Amorim claims that the arrival of top strikers like Sesko will bring out the best in Hojlund and force him to take his game to the next level.
Having two players on the team – along with existing talents like Mbeumo, Cunha and Amad, this season can give United a new layer of firepower, which could be the difference that pushes the team to the table.
Garnacho in Old Trafford has no hope
Amorim showed that once she was dropped with the player it would be difficult to find a way home, and that the ship seemed to sail with Alejandro Garnacho.
Garnacho dropped him to the Europa League final and was not satisfied with his manager after promptly suggesting he wanted to leave United – the player was then removed from the club’s preseason tour.
He is strongly linked to this window’s move to Aston Villa and Chelsea, and yet to the move that hasn’t been realized.
However, his recent comments on Garnacho suggest that after claiming that their relationship had not worked out, he would not return to their relationship – and he could not put his finger on that reason.
“Garnacho, I think you can understand, you can see, he’s talented, he’s a really talented boy,” Amorim said. “And sometimes things don’t work. You can’t explain exactly what it is.
“But I have a feeling. I think it’s clear that Garnacho wants something different with different leadership, and I can understand that. So I don’t think that’s the problem.
“Sometimes, you adapt and connect with one guy. You also want a new challenge. So we try to make everything okay in every part. For the clubs, coaches, players. So that’s the natural thing about football.”
Amorim means business
Like Fernandez, you want to be a nonsense coach whose manager doesn’t pull punches and does not take prisoners.
Amorim is frowning at Old Trafford with his candid statement about the team and his brutal assessment at the moment. That’s all fine, but those words need to be followed up with action on the pitch.
He has already admitted that this is “the worst Manchester United team in history,” and recently said he knew he would struggle with the game last season, but fortunately he has made the move to overhaul the team to fight their grief.
Amorim isolates players who feel Gel hasn’t gelled on his team, leaving Rashford, Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia-Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Johnny Evans at a free relocation.
He brings two new signatures and plans for more – and revealed he is happy with the improvements he saw from the team this summer.
However, his long and recent interviews showed his ambitions for United and his long-term plans after he insisted he would stay at Old Trafford for 20 years and follow in the footsteps of Ir Alex Ferguson. It is still unclear whether he will be able to bring success to the club in the long run, but his attitude and bold steps he took certainly gives the team the chance to reach it.
“I want to stay, I want to stay 20 years,” Amorim said. “That’s my goal and I really believe it. Something happens. It’s always the case. In some moments I’m lucky.
“I have a lot of luck in my career as a manager and my idea is to stay for many years. But I know the outcome will determine that. I know I used all the credits last season, but I’m ready to start a new one.”
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