Manchester United's pre-season preparations for the 2025-26 campaign involve a series of friendly matches across three continents, designed to prepare the squad for a strong showing after what has been described as their worst Premier League season in history. Under the guidance of Rúben Amorim, United are aiming to integrate new signings and refine their tactics ahead of their Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 17th.
The pre-season schedule commenced with two matches in Asia. On May 28th, United faced the ASEAN All-Stars in Kuala Lumpur, suffering a 1-0 defeat. However, they bounced back on May 30th with a 3-1 victory against a Hong Kong XI in Hong Kong. These early matches provided an opportunity for Amorim to assess his squad and give playing time to various players.
Looking ahead, United will travel to Stockholm, Sweden, to play Leeds United on July 19th. This match will be a notable fixture, pitting them against their newly promoted rivals. Following the Sweden game, the team will participate in the Premier League Summer Series in the United States, playing three matches across the country. The first match in the series is against West Ham United on July 27th in New Jersey. They will then face Bournemouth on July 31st in Chicago, Illinois, and conclude the series against Everton on August 3rd in Atlanta, Georgia.
The pre-season will culminate with a final friendly at Old Trafford against Fiorentina on August 9th. This match will be the last chance for Amorim to fine-tune his team before the start of the Premier League season.
Off the pitch, Manchester United have been active in the transfer market. Their most significant signing is Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha from Wolves for a reported €74.2 million. They have also added Diego León, a left-back from Cerro Porteño, for €4 million. Additionally, they are reportedly in advanced talks to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa. Departing from the club are Victor Lindelöf, Christian Eriksen, and Jonny Evans, with Evans' retirement marking the first time since 1974 that United will be without a player who played under Sir Alex Ferguson. Furthermore, with the retirement of Jonny Evans, United are without a Premier League winner in their squad for the first time since the competition's inaugural season in 1992–93.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, Manchester United and their fans will be hoping that these pre-season preparations and strategic acquisitions will translate into improved performance and a return to form.