Arsenal
Manchester United are coming into the 2025/26 Premier League season hoping to banish the reminiscence of their catastrophic fall from grace final time period.
Courtesy of a joint effort from Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, the Purple Devils slumped to their worst-ever end within the English high flight since they had been relegated over 5 many years in the past.
However the brand new season affords Amorim’s troops a clear slate. After ending final season with a 2-0 win in opposition to Aston Villa, an optimistic but daring Amorim claimed that the storm was over.
In an fascinating coincidence, the Premier League has handed United a heavy 2025/26 starter pack that would decide whether or not his phrases carry weight or whether or not he jumped the gun.
A lot of United’s 2024/25 season was outlined by mediocrity, very similar to the post-Ferguson period has been normally, however they’ve taken steps to ensure that was a one-off, albeit one that can go down within the historical past books.
United had been gradual off the mark within the switch market, however they’ve made two improbable additions to Amorim’s squad, bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
A striker remains to be on the shortlist, and United will definitely want so as to add no less than one midfielder in the event that they’re critical about returning to the higher echelons of the Premier League subsequent season.
Ideally, Amorim would love his switch enterprise to be finished earlier than the beginning of the brand new season. However with simply two weeks till the beginning of the brand new marketing campaign, that appears far-fetched.
Whereas the Purple Devils are engaged on switch offers behind the scenes, Amorim has to work with what he has in the mean time, and he has two extra pre-season fixtures to experiment with earlier than the true work begins.
With a pre-season showdown in opposition to Everton and Fiorentina main right into a blockbuster curtain-raiser in opposition to Arsenal, this August might be the beginning of one thing transformative at Outdated Trafford.
Right here’s what August has in retailer for the Purple Devils.
Pre-season warm-ups
There’s nonetheless work to be finished earlier than United can declare to be prepared for the brand new season. They didn’t get off to the perfect begin of their pre-season preparations.
After getting bested by ASEAN All-Stars in a pleasant sport on the Bukit Jalil Nationwide Stadium, it felt like they had been nonetheless being haunted by the horrors of final season. However issues have taken a flip for the higher.
What adopted the 1-0 defeat in Malaysia was a 3-1 win in opposition to Hong Kong courtesy of extremely rated kids Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi Martin, who bagged a brace.
United then went on to play out a colorless goalless draw in opposition to fierce rivals Leeds United.
However they’ve given the followers one thing to cheer about after profitable their final two pre-season video games in opposition to West Ham United and Bournemouth within the Premier League Summer season Collection.
Amorim’s aspect will proceed their tour of the US once they tackle Everton of their ultimate Summer season Collection fixture on Sunday night.
They’ll then return house to Manchester, the place they’ll host 2023/24 UEFA Europa Convention League finalists Fiorentina on the Theatre of Goals.
That’ll be their ultimate pre-season outing earlier than they kick off the Premier League with a baptism of fireside.
Premier League fixtures in August
United get the 2025/26 Premier League marketing campaign underway with a bang. They welcome Arsenal to Outdated Trafford in a blockbuster conflict that can headline a gap weekend of all-round motion.
As champions, Liverpool will do the honours of getting their title defence underway with a house conflict in opposition to Bournemouth two days earlier, however all eyes shall be on the field workplace occasion at Outdated Trafford.
Arsenal enter the season determined to lastly land the elusive Premier League title and finish their 22-year drought.
Having completed as runners-up three seasons in a row, Mikel Arteta’s aspect are desirous to go one higher.
However historical past has not been type to them at Outdated Trafford. The Gunners have solely managed two league wins on the Theatre of Goals previously 18 years.
Arsenal will head into the sport as favourites regardless of their appalling file at Outdated Trafford, however the information present that United are a distinct beast on opening day.
United have gained 22 of their opening-day fixtures, greater than some other Premier League membership. That’s a median win charge of 66.7%.
It’s price noting that two of their seven opening-day defeats have come within the final 5 seasons.
However even within the 2024/25 marketing campaign that flew off the rails, they began the season with a slender 1-0 win in opposition to Fulham on house turf.
That file could be an enormous psychological increase for Amorim’s aspect.
It’s additionally an opportunity to make an announcement. Whatever the consequence, a powerful efficiency would present that United are now not a straightforward fixture for the Premier League title or top-four challengers.
However a limp show would affirm the fears that final season’s failures might take longer to repair. After dealing with Arsenal, United tackle Fulham at Craven Cottage earlier than internet hosting Burnley at Outdated Trafford.
These fixtures will give United an opportunity to choose up invaluable factors earlier than heading into a frightening fixture run in September. the place the Reds are away for the primary Manchester derby of the season, earlier than welcoming Chelsea at house finish of the month.
