Manchester United’s end-of-season targets have been revealed, as the club prepares for a huge transfer overhaul under Ruben Amorim next summer.
Manchester United came into this season off the back of a shockingly poor 2024/25 campaign, with a 15th-place finish in the Premier League and a devastating loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
Rúben Amorim knew at the beginning of the season that this year had to be better and, so far, it has. Before the Everton game, United were on brilliant form and looking like a new side, but the loss against the 10-man Toffees will have set the side back.
As the club prepares for a tough trip to Crystal Palace next weekend, Amorim will know he can’t afford another poor run of form, or the writing may already be on the wall for the former Sporting CP manager.
Another season without European football simply won’t do for United. If Amorim wants to keep his hopes alive, he must hit a good run of form before the African Cup of Nations, which starts on December 21st.
During the competition, United will lose Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui, but if they can hit form beforehand, they may be able to use their positive momentum to carry them through some tough tests without the important trio.
United prepare for squad overhaul
United are quietly preparing themselves for a huge overhaul in the summer transfer window, as Jason Wilcox could be set for an even busier summer than the one just gone.
According to The Sun, United are targeting a top-six finish in the Premier League, aiming to qualify for European football to boost the budget for the summer window. No matter the finish in the league, United look set to move on from several key players.
Bruno Fernandes has an agreement to leave the club for an overseas side for as little as £57 million, but he won’t make a decision on his future until after the World Cup.
Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte’s futures will also be discussed. Mainoo has asked for a loan move on more than one occasion, while Ugarte continues to struggle and can’t displace the ageing Casemiro.
Other players who could leave the club include: Harry Maguire, who has just seven months left on his contract; Altay Bayindir, if he is unhappy as a backup; Joshua Zirkzee, who could leave in January; and all those already on loan away from Old Trafford.
United must sign strong characters
One of the many problems at Old Trafford in recent years has been the lack of leadership at the club, as when they hit poor form, heads drop and United can struggle to get out of their slump.
Fernandes and Maguire are two of United’s biggest leaders. Losing the duo could see the Red Devils seriously struggle, in a time that could be crucial for Amorim’s Red Devils career.
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If both are to leave the club, United must sign strong leaders who could head up the leadership team. Without Fernandes and Maguire, the remaining “leadership group players” would be Diogo Dalot, Tom Heaton, Lisandro Martínez and Noussair Mazraoui.
Matthijs de Ligt has shown his strong character this season, but more players are needed, or United will continue to struggle when they hit poor form, as they did under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Erik ten Hag.
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