The manager’s clear tactical blueprint shaped United’s transfer business in the summer, with signings aimed at fitting a predictable system and, crucially, improving an attack that struggled last season. United finished 15th in the Premier League and were bereft of a Europa League trophy to compensate.

Goalkeeping was a priority after uncertainty over existing options. Amorim has shown little faith in André Onana, while Altay Bayındır’s flaws have been too obvious for him to emerge as a long-term No. 1. United signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for a modest fee and the early indicators suggest he could assume the starting role straight away.

At the back, Leny Yoro stands out as the most gifted defender in the squad. He suffered an early injury setback but has since looked the part: an imposing operator with timing and recovery traits that point to a long-term role. Harry Maguire can still do a job in the manager’s back three, but Amorim has preferred De Ligt to start the season. The Dutchman is a physical operator who excels at man-marking robust attackers, though he struggles against nimble opponents and when defending wide areas.

Any defence looks stronger with a fully fit Lisandro Martínez. His height remains a talking point and his 2025 has been blighted by injury, but Martínez brings control in possession and the ability to set the tone with committed challenges.

On the flanks, Amad looks destined for a wing-back role. He was one of the brighter sparks in a difficult 2024–25 campaign and offers dynamism and a bit of magic down the right. The relationship between Amad and the summer arrival Bryan Mbeumo could prove pivotal; Mbeumo arrives after his best campaign to date and has been efficient in front of goal.

In midfield, Mainoo is the academy graduate with the highest ceiling and must be integrated effectively. He nearly left on loan in the summer but remains a piece Amorim should prioritise. Casemiro has shown signs of revival under Amorim, who has asked the veteran to cover less ground without the ball. United did not sufficiently strengthen their engine room in the window and alternatives remain limited.

Up front, Cunha was the first major signing and Amorim has begun to use a false nine. Benjamin Šeško would be an ideal option but will need time to adapt. For now United possess a front three built for combination play but one that lacks a dominant aerial presence in the box.

Michael Owen set off a public debate after a social media outburst in which he offered a detailed statistical comparison of himself and Wayne Rooney from the early stages of their careers. According to the original exchange, Owen listed his achievements and rejected suggestions that Rooney was the superior youngster, framing the discussion in numbers and milestones.

Rooney chose a measured response, addressing the issue on The Wayne Rooney Show and refusing to escalate the exchange. He said: “Michael and I are very different players,” he said on The Wayne Rooney Show . “I used to go out on the street and pretend to be Michael Owen—even though he played for Liverpool.

“I think his comments are fair. Of course, he’s going to back himself. I’d back myself. But, I’d never judge myself against Michael Owen because he’s someone I actually looked up to and had the pleasure of playing alongside.”

The episode underlines two truths about the pair that featured heavily in the original discussion. Owen emerged as a spectacular young goalscorer, making an immediate impact and collecting high-profile recognition early in his career. He was the second-youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever in 2001, a fact often cited when comparing the two forwards at similar ages.

Rooney’s reply steered away from recrimination and towards perspective. The piece at hand notes that while Owen was certainly the more gifted finisher in his breakthrough years, Rooney’s career is distinguished by longevity and technical quality. That combination is presented as the basis for judging Rooney’s overall standing in football rather than focusing solely on early statistical advantage.

The exchange is notable for its frankness and for Rooney’s diplomatic tone in reply. It leaves the comparison framed both by Owen’s early brilliance and by Rooney’s sustained contribution over the course of his career.

Willem II have given a permanent tribute to one of their academy graduates by renaming the main stand at their youth stadium the Virgil van Dijk Tribune.

Van Dijk’s connection to the Tilburg club runs deep. He spent 11 years within Willem II’s youth setup before joining Groningen in 2010. He never made a senior appearance for Groningen but remains closely tied to his boyhood club.

The renaming coincides with the launch of Virgil’s Legacy Trophy, an Under-13s tournament organised with Van Dijk’s involvement. The competition will bring together the clubs the defender represented during his career, with Liverpool, Southampton, Celtic, Groningen and Willem II among the invited sides. Eleven other teams will also take part at the tournament in Tilburg this September.

On the recognition, Van Dijk said: “It makes me very proud,” Van Dijk said of the tribute . “Willem II has played an important role in my life and in my development as a young player.

“That this is now recognised in this way means a lot to me and my family. It is a very special tribute and I appreciate the warmth and connection I still feel with the club.”

Willem II’s general manager Merijn Goris spoke of the wider purpose behind the gesture: “Virgil means so much to Willem II and to our youth academy. We wanted to give him something lasting.

The new stand name will be visible throughout youth fixtures and serves as a nod to the club’s role in Van Dijk’s early development as the tournament brings young players from the involved clubs together in Tilburg. The move is both a local acknowledgement and a practical celebration of the link between the first steps taken in a club academy and the career that followed for one of the game’s leading centre backs.