Overview

• Rúben Amorim maintained his preferred 3-4-3 formation during preseason preparations
• The acquisitions of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo signal heavy investment in a new front three expected to restore goalscoring after United’s low tally in 2024/25
• United’s midfield depth remains under scrutiny with no natural holding presence after Christian Eriksen’s departure, raising concerns over the team’s ability to protect the backline
• Financial constraints, including a roughly £100m revenue shortfall, staff redundancies and Financial Fair Play limits, have forced player sales and stoked unrest among staff and fans
• United travel to face Arsenal on 17 August in a fixture viewed as the first real gauge of whether this summer’s overhaul can reverse the club’s decline