Ruben Amorim, 40, will have to improve his team’s 15th place in the 2024/25 Premier League with the hope that major player upheavals this summer will do the trick.
Amorim caught up with the Manchester United squad again on today, Monday (July 7) after a well-deserved summer break. The team finished 15th in the Premier League in the 2024/25 season and also lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham in May.
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United have already completed two summer signings: Brazilian international Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5 million and Paraguayan left-back Diego León from Cerro Porteño for £2.9 million plus £3.6 million in bonuses depending on performance.
Several high-profile players are also expected to leave Old Trafford this summer.
Five players have been given later return permission
According to The Athletic, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia were given special permission to return to pre-season training later than their teammates last week.
Sources have reportedly told the media that all five have expressed a desire to leave United, but some of the players have denied this.
The Sun also reports that Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes have been given permission to return later to training after the death of their Portuguese teammate Diogo Jota. However, this has not been confirmed by the club or the players at this time.
Both Fernandes and Dalot were present at Jota’s funeral in Portugal on Saturday.
According to Manchester World, the duo have been given the whole week off, while other national team players are expected back in training on Thursday.
After Jota’s passing, Fernandes shared a heartfelt tribute on his Instagram:
“Friend, colleague and comrade through many struggles. It is difficult to understand how someone can pass away so early. May you and your brother find the peace you need to guard those you lost so suddenly and unexpectedly. My condolences to your entire family.”
United pre-season fixtures
United will start their pre-season on July 19 with a game against Leeds United in Stockholm, Sweden. Then they participate in the Premier League Summer Series with matches in the United States against West Ham (July 27), Bournemouth (July 31) and Everton (August 3).
The Red Devils then play Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9, before the Premier League season starts at home against Arsenal on August 17.
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