Manchester United
Man Utd Set to Face West Ham in Premier League Summer Series Opener
Manchester United face West Ham in the Premier League Summer Series opener as both prepare for 2025-26.
The second edition of the Premier League Summer Series kicks off this weekend with a notable clash between Manchester United and West Ham United. The teams find themselves at the start of their 2025–26 pre-season campaigns after challenging previous seasons. Manchester United aim to secure a rare win over West Ham, who have claimed victory in four of the last five encounters, including a 2-0 win at Old Trafford last May.
The contrasting pre-season performances set the tone for this match. West Ham started positively with a 3-1 win against Grasshoppers, while Manchester United drew goalless with Leeds United in Stockholm. This year, United have brought new signings, including Bryan Mbeumo who could make his debut soon. Matheus Cunha also appeared last weekend in their first pre-season match.
Notable absences for United include André Onana due to a hamstring injury, and several key players such as Jadon Sancho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia, and Alejandro Garnacho remain at home. Harry Maguire has joined the squad in the United States following a personal matter, and Lisandro Martínez is furthering his recovery from a knee injury. The squad also features youngsters eager to impress under Ruben Amorim, who organizes the team in a 3-4-2-1 formation featuring players like Yoro, De Ligt, and Dalot.
West Ham, managed by Graham Potter, travels with a 29-man squad that includes new signing Kyle Walker-Peters who may debut this weekend. El Hadji Malick Diouf contributed effectively in their recent win. Youth prospects embellish the squad with academy graduates like Callum Marshall, who scored recently, included. Injuries and post-tournament breaks have affected availability for some players including Edson Álvarez.
With both sides focusing on giving players game time and last season’s struggles behind them, this pre-season fixture promises a tactical and cautious encounter. Potter’s potential 3-4-3 setup might counter Amorim’s 3-4-2-1, resulting in a tightly contested and methodical match rather than an attacking spectacle.
Manchester United
Amorim Praises Manchester United’s Pre-Season Progress; Mount Targets European Return
Amorim welcomes focused pre-season as Mount targets Champions League return for Man United.
Ruben Amorim expressed satisfaction with Manchester United’s pre-season preparations as the club aims to recover from a difficult 2024–25 season. Since his arrival in early November to replace Erik ten Hag, Amorim has faced challenges implementing his tactical approach due to limited training time and ongoing midweek European fixtures. This summer, free from major international tournaments, has allowed for extensive work on the pitch. “We, as a team, need more time on the pitch, not just for the physical or tactical aspect, but the bond between [the players]. You build that during the week, with time on the [training] pitch. So, I’m really happy with that,” said Amorim.
For the first time since the 2014–15 campaign, Manchester United will not compete in European football. Mason Mount, who joined from Chelsea in 2023, underscored the importance of reclaiming a UEFA competition spot. “Europe is a massive, massive thing for us,” he said during the first pre-season tour in Chicago. “The Champions League would be amazing for us and as a group we want to be playing in that competition. But I’d say Europe. I think that’s the focus.”
Mount has battled injury setbacks since joining United, missing 23 games last season and 27 the season before. However, he returned strongly at the close of last term, making a full run of appearances in April and May. “At the end of last season, getting back and feeling really, really good, playing some games and scoring some goals was obviously very important for me,” Mount reflected. “I still want to kick on. Any time you do get that opportunity to be on the pitch, you want to do something, you want to affect the game. That’s always the way I’ve looked at it.”
Arsenal
Dominic Solanke Doubts Manchester United’s Top Four Prospects for 2025–26
Dominic Solanke predicts Manchester United will miss out on the Premier League top four in 2025–26.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke has expressed skepticism over Manchester United’s chances of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League for the 2025–26 season. Speaking on DA4P’s YouTube channel, Solanke provided his predictions for the teams likely to qualify for the Champions League spots.
Solanke confidently included Tottenham first in his top-four forecast, followed by Liverpool and Manchester City. When questioned about Manchester United’s potential to challenge for a Champions League position next term, Solanke simply replied, “nah,” instead opting to include Arsenal as a contender.
This blunt verdict reflects the ongoing struggles faced by the Red Devils, who endured a difficult previous season. While Solanke’s confidence in Tottenham’s qualification might raise some eyebrows—given their 17th-place finish last season—his assessment of Manchester United aligns with widespread doubts about their immediate recovery under Ruben Amorim’s management.
Solanke’s straightforward response underlines the challenges ahead for Manchester United, suggesting the club faces another challenging campaign outside Europe’s elite competition.
Manchester United
Matheus Cunha Embraces the Challenge of His Manchester United Move
Matheus Cunha views his Man Utd transfer pressure as a privilege and embraces the challenge ahead.
Matheus Cunha, the latest Manchester United signing, has openly welcomed the pressure accompanying his high-profile transfer to Old Trafford. The Brazilian international recognizes the intense scrutiny the club attracts and views it as an opportunity rather than a burden.
Cunha expressed, “I really think the pressure on this club is not really pressure. It’s a privilege because this is one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
His decision to join United was motivated by the project’s appeal and the chance to be part of something significant. “When Ruben came to me and showed me the project, I felt like it’s a challenge I want to do for my career. United is a club I needed to be at, and like I say it’s a big privilege.”
The forward also highlighted United as his dream destination, having turned down multiple offers this summer to commit to the club. “It’s my dream club. This is what the question is, you know. It’s my dream club. When I had the first meeting with Ruben, I feel like they started to build something very important. And of course, I want to be part of this.”
Meanwhile, United has strengthened its roster further with the acquisition of Bryan Mbeumo. On the outgoing front, Marcus Rashford recently moved on loan to Barcelona. Other players like Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia remain available for transfer, though manager Ruben Amorim has indicated a willingness to retain them if suitable offers are not received.
