Manchester United have already started their preseason work, with Michel Carrick taking charge of his first summer in the dugout. Across a series of friendlies in northern Europe, fringe players and academy prospects alike are trying to make their case for the months ahead.

Joshua Zirkzee is among those with the most to prove. His first spell at United has been marked by frustration, even with a winning Premier League debut offering early promise. Since then, the Dutch forward has added only eight more goals, including just two in 2025-26. He featured 26 times in all competitions last season after failing to convince Ruben Amorim or Carrick, and competition from Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo has only increased the pressure on him. A strong run in preseason, particularly against Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Milan, could alter the picture.

Mason Mount faces a different challenge. Injuries have repeatedly interrupted his time at Old Trafford, and he is still yet to reach 30 appearances in any of his three campaigns. Across 72 outings, he has managed seven goals and two assists. The midfielder has shown flashes of his best, but he now needs a healthy preseason to build momentum, especially with added competition from Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

Leny Yoro arrived with a big reputation after United beat Liverpool and Real Madrid to his signing, but his progress has stalled. He has been unable to secure a regular place ahead of Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez, and his displays have not fully settled doubts.

Patrick Dorgu also needs to reassert himself after slipping down the pecking order under Amorim, then finding a new lease of life under Carrick before injury struck. Harry Amass, Toby Collyer and Shea Lacey are in similar situations, each hoping preseason can help define their role in the squad.

Manchester United are facing a familiar problem in their search for midfield reinforcements: the players they want from Real Madrid do not appear keen to move.

Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga have both been linked with a summer switch, but the signs point in the opposite direction. Reports have suggested that Real Madrid are willing to part with Tchouaméni, yet that possibility looks remote. Fabrizio Romano has said the French midfielder already signed a contract extension with Los Blancos weeks ago, although the club has not announced it officially. Romano also stressed how “important” Tchouaméni is to new boss José Mourinho.

At the Bernabéu, the feeling is said to be clear: Tchouaméni is staying.

That leaves Camavinga as the more realistic option for United, at least on paper. The 23-year-old does not seem to have a fixed role in Los Blancos’ starting side and is expected to spend another season competing for minutes after fitness issues and poor performances affected his 2025-26 campaign.

Even so, the midfielder is not pushing to leave. Romano has reported that Camavinga is determined to remain at Real Madrid and “revive” his career in a white shirt. His representatives have passed that message on to United too, making it plain that the player wants to work under Mourinho.

“The only way to get Camavinga, whether it’s Man Utd or any other club, is to get a green light from the player,” Romano reiterated.

Yet this situation could still shift if Florentino Pérez decides to move for Rodri. The Manchester City midfielder has long been open about the possibility of a Bernabéu switch, and Real Madrid have returned to the idea after he won the Golden Ball for a standout World Cup with Spain.

Talk between the two sides is growing, though reported back surgery for Rodri could give Real Madrid pause before taking the next step.

Manchester United have confirmed a major revision to their new-stadium programme, abandoning a previously targeted plot to the west of Old Trafford and moving the proposed ground to a newly acquired site north-west of their current home.

The proposal involves the construction of a new “Stadium District” that will be “purpose-built for sport, entertainment and year-round activity.” The club says the development will sit alongside Old Trafford to preserve matchday rituals while improving connectivity and fan facilities.

“The publication of the Wharfside Masterplan marks another significant milestone in our journey to create a new world-class home for Manchester United at the heart of a vibrant and transformational district for Trafford and Greater Manchester,” said stadium development CEO Collette Roche.

“Together with our partners, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a destination that creates lasting benefits for supporters, local communities and the wider region for decades to come.

“The proposed stadium site is ideally located alongside Old Trafford, enabling us to preserve the heritage, traditions and matchday rituals that are so important to our supporters, while also providing the connectivity and infrastructure required to deliver a truly world-class fan experience.

“We are committed to building a world-class stadium with our supporters, not simply for them. Atmosphere, affordability and accessibility will remain at the heart of our plans, and we look forward to continuing our engagement with fans and other stakeholders as we move into the next phase of design and development.”

The west-of-Old Trafford plot was the club’s initial target in March 2025, and negotiations were held with the landowner Freightliner. United valued that land at around $67 million (£50 million), but Freightliner sought roughly eight times that amount. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe made it clear United would not meet that asking price on a project already estimated to cost around $2.7 billion. The club has not disclosed the purchase price for the north-west site.

United had considered renovating Old Trafford, which has not had major work since 2006, but decided renovation proved more complicated and costly than building a new ground. The new stadium will form part of the Trafford Wharfside project, which also includes plans for new homes and business space. The club hopes to complete the move before the 2032–33 season, and no future use for the current stadium has been announced.