Five Manchester United stars fans must watch during the 2024/25 pre-season

Five players Manchester United fans must watch out for during Erik ten Hag’s 2024 pre-season campaign.

Manchester United are set to commence their 2024 summer games on Monday morning as Erik ten Hag welcomes his squad back to Carrington.

While many of his players are away on holiday, either competing in international tournaments or on holiday following exits from said tournaments, plenty are available for an immediate return.

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It is expected that many of United’s brightest academy products will be given a chance to shine throughout the summer, with some of the first-team players also aiming to impress the manager.

Here, UtdDistrict have outlined five players that fans should keep a close eye on over the next month ahead of the 2024/25 season.

#1 – Mason Mount

Mason Mount’s first season at Manchester United did not go how people would have hoped. Signing for £55 million from Chelsea in 2023, many thought Mount’s experience would add further depth and technical ability to Ten Hag’s midfield.

However, injuries and poor form across the squad led to Mount failing to have the impact people expected from the Champions League winner – but 2024/25 will likely be different.

As Mount was not part of England’s 2024 European Championship squad, he has had the last six weeks to rest, recover, and make sure he is completely prepared for next season. He will be part of the squad from Monday onwards, and United’s No. 7 will be one to watch.

#2 – Amad Diallo

Amad Diallo is a name all Manchester United fans will be familiar with, but almost all will agree that the club have not seen enough of him.

Amad has been on multiple loan spells since joining United in 2020. Last summer, he suffered a long-term knee injury, meaning the club has not been able to play him.

After a long spell on the bench during the initial months of 2024, Amad forced his way into Ten Hag’s side at the end of the campaign, impressing fans and scoring a fantastic goal against Newcastle.

Like Mount, he has had the summer to rest and recover and is expected to be fully fit and challenged for a starting place this summer. He is now seen as an important first-team squad member.

#3 – Ethan Wheatley

With United lacking any first-team strikers for the opening weeks of pre-season, academy starlet Ethan Wheatley could have a significant impact under Ten Hag.

Rasmus Højlund is on holiday following his Euro 2024 exit with Denmark, and Joshua Zirkzee, who looks set to sign at Old Trafford, is still in Germany with the Netherlands, leaving Wheatley with a chance to take charge.

United’s first pre-season fixture is on Monday, 15 July, against Rosenborg in Norway, and Ten Hag has shown previously that he is happy to let youth players start during the early summer games.

Wheatley, who made his debut for the first team at the end of last season, has a chance to show fans why he is so highly rated after scoring 14 goals and registering 4 assists in 30 games for the youth teams last campaign.

#4 – Shea Lacey

Before Wheatley made his debut for the club, there were reports that Ten Hag was keen to hand 17-year-old Shea Lacey his first minutes as a professional player.

However, an injury in the final months scuppered the plan, but heading into 24/25, Lacey is once again fit to play.

Lacey signed his first professional contract with the club in April 2024 and is expected to begin blooding in with the first team across the next two seasons.

#5 – Harry Amass

Harry Amass is one of the club’s most exciting young players, having signed from Watford a little over a year ago.

As a fast, dynamic, and technical left-back, the 17-year-old will be the first name on the team sheet to replace those not available in his position.

Luke Shaw is away with England at Euro 2024, and Tyrell Malacia is still injured. Diogo Dalot, who has covered the position, is on holiday, meaning Amass will have a chance to shine.

He is expected to become continually more involved with Ten Hag’s squad over the course of the campaign, having trained with the first team on multiple occasions last season.

After the initial tie against Rosenborg, the Red Devils will take on Rangers in Scotland before flying to the United States of America to play three more games.

Across the pond, will face Arsenal, Real Betis, and Liverpool before returning to London to face Manchester City in the 2024 FA Community Shield.

Following this, the first Premier League tie of 2024/25 will take place, with United hosting Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday, 16 August, to open the season.

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