Manchester United
Manchester United’s Projected XI vs West Ham: Cunha and Mbeumo Set for Premier Partnership
Manchester United prepare to field Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo together against West Ham in pre-season.
Manchester United continue their pre-season preparations with their latest encounter against West Ham, offering fans a first glimpse of fresh talents on the pitch. The Red Devils began their summer campaign with a goalless draw against Leeds United, setting the stage for another trio of domestic fixtures before a final pre-season clash with Fiorentina.
Manager Ruben Amorim’s lineup for this Summer Series match is expected to feature notable inclusions and tactical formations. Goalkeeper Altay Bayındır is poised to shine in absence of André Onana, sidelined by a hamstring injury, providing Bayındır with a valuable opportunity to impress on tour.
Defensively, Leny Yoro, a promising young talent who navigated an injury-hit debut season, could feature strongly alongside Matthijs de Ligt, who may start at centre-back amid Harry Maguire’s delayed arrival. Ayden Heaven, a former Arsenal prospect, is tipped for the left side of the back three, while Diogo Dalot is expected to operate at right wing-back, showcasing his versatility on either flank.
In midfield, captain Bruno Fernandes is likely to take on a deeper role, although questions linger regarding his partnership options. Manuel Ugarte, signed from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, aims to build on a modest debut campaign, with Amorim hoping for significant progress in his sophomore season.
Patrick Dorgu, who joined in January but has yet to find his form, should benefit from a full preseason to boost his impact at left wing-back.
Offensively, the attacking midfield roles may feature the summer’s first signing, Matheus Cunha, who debuted last weekend, and new arrival Bryan Mbeumo, whose recent signing and participation on the tour suggests an attempt to foster early chemistry between the two creative figures well before the season begins.
This lineup not only reflects tactical adjustments but also highlights the infusion of youthful energy and fresh talent aimed at sharpening Manchester United’s edge ahead of the competitive season.
Manchester United
Pre‑season Friction and Expectations That Pushed André Onana Towards a Loan Exit
Amorim was dissatisfied with Onana, in pre-season, prompting a loan move and broader squad clearout.
Manchester United moved swiftly this summer to remove players deemed disruptive to the manager’s plans, a process that has placed André Onana on the verge of a loan to Türkiye. Sources inside the club say Ruben Amorim was reportedly “dissatisfied” with multiple aspects of Onana’s approach during pre-season, a verdict that contributed to the decision to pursue a new goalkeeper.
The club’s clearout also included Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Jadon Sancho in what has been described as a deliberate effort to rid Amorim’s squad of any undesirable figures, even if it does result in significant financial losses. Former United defender Rio Ferdinand voiced approval of that approach.
Onana’s troubles at Old Trafford have not been limited to errors on the pitch. The former Inter goalkeeper suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of pre-season, which reportedly added to Amorim’s concerns. The 29-year-old’s “expectation” that he would be United’s starting goalkeeper for the new campaign also left his boss “dissatisfied.”
A report in The Athletic suggests off-field conduct was a factor as well. It states Onana “ruffled feathers” among some figures at the club with his “big personality.” Whether Amorim was among that group is unclear, but the combination of interruptions in pre-season and perceived attitudes appears to have shifted the club’s view.
United were not initially in the market for a new shot-stopper, but co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to have supported the decision to sign a goalkeeper after the first Premier League game of the season against Arsenal. Onana had been dropped for that fixture in favour of Altay Bayındır, whose handling of Declan Rice’s corner led to the match’s only goal.
Intriguingly, Onana was originally told to refrain from securing a new club before that stance shifted following the Deadline Day arrival of Senne Lammens. The chain of events has now left Onana poised to join Trabzonspor on loan as Manchester United reshapes the squad around Amorim’s demands.
Arsenal
Premier League Hall of Fame: Every Inductee and the Case for Their Place
A concise overview of every Premier League Hall of Fame inductee and why they were chosen. Read more
The Premier League Hall of Fame has become a permanent feature of the competition’s modern story. For a player to be eligible for a place in the Premier League’s Hall of Fame, they must have made 250 appearances in the division since its 1992 inauguration or achieved one of the following:
The list of inductees reads like a roll call of defining figures. The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer has just a single league title to his name, but he’ll likely remain a record-holder unless Harry Kane opts to make a comeback post-Bayern Munich. Shearer’s greatest collective success came with Blackburn Rovers, but he’s immortalised on Tyneside.
Many regard Henry as the greatest Premier League player there’s been. The dazzling French forward has the collective accolades and individual achievements to supply a compelling case. Cantona was utterly unique. Man Utd took a flyer on Cantona at the start of the Premier League era, but the Frenchman proved to be the making of the Red Devils’ 90s dynasty.
Roy Keane is presented as arguably the greatest captain the League has ever seen, while Lampard remains the highest scoring midfielder in the competition, with over 600 Premier League appearances and three league titles with Chelsea. Bergkamp is remembered for sustained runs of brilliance that propelled Arsenal to league titles.
Beckham’s off-field prominence often overshadowed his on-field quality, but he was one of the stars of Premier League football in the 90s. Rooney’s arrival felt inevitable and he was a constant thorn for many opponents at the Theatre of Dreams. Vieira was an early Wenger recruit and the leader of Arsenal teams that conquered the country on multiple occasions.
Drogba’s 254 Premier League appearances all came for Chelsea, where he won four league titles. Kompany won Premier League Player of the Season during Man City’s dramatic 2011–12 success. Schmeichel redefined goalkeeping for his era. Scholes, part of the Class of ’92, evolved into a classy deep-lying performer. Ian Wright struck 113 Premier League goals and claimed a title in 1997–98.
Managers are represented too. Ferguson spent 26 years at United and inspired 13 league titles. Wenger managed a record 828 games and remains the only ‘Invincible’ manager in Premier League history.
Defenders and goalkeepers feature prominently: Adams, Čech, Ferdinand and Ashley Cole are all included for their defining contributions. The Hall of Fame collects these careers to explain why each figure matters to the competition’s history.
Brentford
Mbeumo: Amorim’s ‘Fun’ Approach Echoes Thomas Frank as United Start Tests Forward
Mbeumo says his United start has been ‘tough’ and praises Ruben Amorim’s similar ‘fun’ approach. ok.
Bryan Mbeumo has described the way Ruben Amorim runs Manchester United as similar to the approach he knew under Thomas Frank, while conceding that his introduction to Old Trafford has been difficult.
The summer recruit has had an unpredictable opening to life at United. He scored his first goal for the club in a humiliating Carabao Cup second-round exit to fourth-tier Grimsby Town. The Cameroon international was on target again in the club’s only win of the season against Burnley, a result belatedly secured with a stoppage-time penalty from Bruno Fernandes.
“It’s been tough,” Mbeumo told Manchester United’s YouTube channel while playing a game of chess. “I was expecting a lot from here because it’s a big club. It’s a big everything.
“I’m really happy with what happened to me here, the teammates, the staff, everyone in Carrington are lovely people,” Mbeumo continued. “You really want to come in and work here every day, which is really good. When I first arrive somewhere I don’t really know, I don’t like to be loud or show myself a lot [be outgoing].”
Amorim, the former Sporting CP manager, played a central role in persuading the forward to move to United, and his public praise for Mbeumo appears to be reciprocated. Mbeumo drew a direct line between Amorim and Frank, the coach who guided his development at Brentford before taking over at Tottenham.
“I think I’ve found some similarities because he always tries to do it in a fun way, and I think this is really important because it makes your life more enjoyable,” he studiously noted.
Challenges remain for both player and club. United face a demanding period in the schedule, travelling to the Etihad Stadium for the first Manchester derby of the season before hosting reigning world champions Chelsea the following weekend. How Mbeumo adapts under Amorim in the coming weeks will be watched closely.
