New training footage has shown a new potential position for one of Rúben Amorim’s key Manchester United figures amid the hopeful arrival of Bryan Mbeumo.
Rúben Amorim’s squad returned to pre-season training on Monday as Manchester United begin their preparations for the 2025/26 campaign.
Several players, including Matheus Cunha, Joshua Zirkzee, and Mason Mount, were present for the first day back at Carrington, while others are set to rejoin the group later this week after being given extended time off due to international commitments.
After just under two weeks of work at the training ground, United will embark on a five-match pre-season tour. The first fixture sees them travel to Sweden to face familiar rivals Leeds United at the Strawberry Arena.
The team will then head to the United States for games against West Ham, Bournemouth, and Everton, before returning to Old Trafford to round off their preparations with a friendly against Fiorentina.
United will then kick off the 2025/26 season with a standout clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, 17 August, with kick-off scheduled for 16:30 BST.
What is the latest on United’s Mbeumo deal?
When the club announced the signing of Cunha on the opening day of the transfer window, it felt as if a new dawn of quick deals and fresh market strategy was finally installed at United.
In the following days, Bruno Fernandes confirmed his intention tos tay, and Bryan Mbeumo indicated his desire to join.
However, the deal for the latter has now dragged on for over a month. United have seen two bids totalling £55 million and £62.5 million rejected, and are yet to submit a third bid despite multiple sources continuing to suggest it’s imminent.
Brentford have reportedly informed Mbeumo that he does not need to return to first-team training this week despite their pre-season schedule commencing, while the player himself is growing frustrated that the move is still not complete.
Amorim preparing for Mbeumo’s arrival in training
On Wednesday morning, United released fresh footage of the opening days of Amorim’s pre-season training on their club website, including videos of an attack against defenders drill.
While Zirkzee and Cunha shared the striker role in the drills and Mount was primarily present in the left attacking midfield position, it was interesting to see that Amad was mainly deployed very wide on the right flank.
There has been debate about who will start in the right attacking role if Mbeumo signs for United, with Amad playing some “unbelievable” football in the position last season. However, if the training footage is anything to go by, Amorim has made up his mind.
Amad also excelled as a very attacking right wing-back last season, and was fantastic on the final day of the Premier League season against Aston Villa in that position.
If United can get the Mbeumo deal over the line, it seems as if Amorim is preparing Amad to play his football as a right wing-back next season, although it’s expected that the Ivorian international will pretty much act as a second winger, rather than a defensive player.
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