After a 2-2 draw against Everton on Sunday night, Manchester United concluded their pre-season tour in the United States of America as winners of the Premier League Summer Series.
Bruno Fernandes comfortably dispatched a penalty won by Amad after a slick possession sequence involving the two players, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and Mason Mount scored a stunning goal on the half-turn.
That result followed a 3-0 win against West Ham United and a 4-1 triumph over Bournemouth, and this should fill United with confidence going into what is a huge 2025/26 season.
Ruben Amorim expressed his happiness at how the tour had gone and the benefits he felt it brought for his Manchester United side, who still need work but look improved in comparison to the horrors of last season.
UtdDistrict discuss three key talking points from United’s pre-season tour in the States.
#1 – New personnel offer more varied methods in attack
Particularly evident in the game against Everton, the signings of Cunha and Mbeumo have added new and interesting dynamics to an attack that looked incredibly stale last season.
The ability they have to receive the ball in between the lines, turn on it under pressure, and drive forward with it is something that United lacked last season, and in the case of Mbeumo, his ability to run in behind after releasing the ball also offers an extra threat.
At the same time, Rasmus Højlund looks much fitter and sharper in comparison to last season, and he offers a more direct option if United want to hit the space in behind. His presence as a running threat could push defensive lines further back, creating extra space in between the lines.
#2 – Build-up improved, but still needs work
United’s buildup has looked sharper so far in pre-season, in part due to the new additions, but it is abundantly clear that work is still needed to compete at a higher level in the Premier League this season.
Some impressive sequences have been put together by United, including in the buildup to Fernandes’ penalty against Everton. However, there has also been a lot of very sloppy play, and the way United’s buildup is structured still does not adequately platform the players.
Moving the central centre back into midfield hinders United’s buildup massively. It makes it harder for Matthijs de Ligt or Harry Maguire to make a real impact, clogs the midfield space, which makes it more difficult for players like Kobbie Mainoo to receive the ball, and it makes it much easier for United to press.
Against Everton, there was a lot of reliance on flicks around the corner and moments of brilliance in tight spaces, but this places a lot of demand on players to do everything perfectly, which can be unsustainable. It is also abundantly clear that United need a midfielder to replace Manuel Ugarte as their most pressing priority.
#3 – United look their fittest in years
You know what they say, best till last. Probably the most significant positive from United’s pre-season so far is that the squad looks fitter than it has in years. With a reduced schedule next season, it will be interesting to see how much this improves United.
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Amorim and his team have made it a priority to address this issue, one that had plagued United for years, this offseason. So far, the players not only look in much better physical shape but have also been pressing with much better intensity and appear stronger in their duels.
Last season, teams with any physicality in their ranks were running over United with ease, and it was clear the players could not cope. But with a fitter squad, this season could be a different story.
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