CHICAGO -- Ruben Amorim is facing a crucial summer.
The Portuguese coach has endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford after being parachuted into one of the most high-pressure jobs in the sport halfway through the 2024-25 season. During the club's darkest moments, Amorim consistently said things would get better once he had time with his players away from the hectic Premier League schedule.
That time has arrived, and fans will be looking for signs of progress during the team's tour of America. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have come in and Marcus Rashford has left for Barcelona, giving the squad a fresh look ahead of the trip.
But Amorim has other issues to deal with and decisions to make while he's in the U.S. as he plots the first steps toward recovery before the start of the new Premier League campaign against Arsenal on Aug. 17.
Manchester United's U.S. tour fixtures
Saturday: Manchester United vs. West Ham (East Rutherford, New Jersey; 7 p.m. ET)
July 30: Manchester United vs. Bournemouth (Chicago, 9:30 p.m. ET)
Aug. 3: Manchester United vs. Everton (Atlanta, 5:30 p.m. ET)
Goals for the preseason
1. Work on scoring more goals
It was a problem for United last season, and they've tried to solve it by spending more than £130 million to bring in Cunha and Mbeumo. The relationship between those two and captain Bruno Fernandes will be key to Amorim's team finding the net more regularly next season. It's an understanding that will start on the training pitches at their base in Chicago.
Preseason began with another blank against Leeds (a 0-0 draw) in Stockholm on Saturday. Games against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton will be crucial in developing the attacking patterns of play Amorim will want to see when the Premier League campaign kicks off.
2. Find a position for Mbeumo
United believe it's a significant coup to pry Mbeumo away from Brentford. The next job is for Amorim to find a position for him.
The expectation is that he'll fill one of the No. 10 roles alongside Cunha in the 3-4-3 system, but that means persisting with either Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee, who scored seven Premier League goals combined last season, at center forward. Playing Mbeumo up front would allow Amorim to use Fernandes, Mason Mount or Kobbie Mainoo as one of his No. 10s next to Cunha. If Mbeumo is going to play as a No. 10, it's difficult to see where Mount and Mainoo fit in.
Rob Dawson debates whether Kobbie Mainoo will leave Manchester United.
3. Handle the distractions
United have chosen to back Amorim in allowing him to leave Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia at home, but that doesn't mean the issue is resolved.
While the four remaining members of the so-called "bomb squad" are still at the club, Amorim will face questions about their futures and how long they'll remain in exile if transfers don't materialize. Getting Rashford out the door before the tour starts is a positive, and Amorim could do with a quick resolution with the others -- particularly Garnacho. It's a distraction he doesn't need.
4. Make a decision at goalkeeper
It's a delicate issue. There hasn't been much noise from within the club that they're looking to replace André Onana as the No. 1, but now the Cameroon international is injured and set to miss most of preseason. It leaves Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton as the senior keepers on tour with the possibility that one will have to start the opening league game against Arsenal if Onana doesn't recover in time.
Onana has had two up-and-down seasons at Old Trafford and was left out of the trip to Newcastle at the end of last season after making mistakes against Lyon in the UEFA Europa League. If money can be raised through sales between now and the deadline, it might be a position United look to strengthen.
5. Take a look at the youngsters
No European competition allows Amorim to carry a smaller squad next season and supplement it with youngsters from the academy. Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi did enough last season to suggest they should stay with the first team. Beyond that, players such as midfielder Sékou Koné could make an impression on tour to warrant a place in the squad. Mainoo was the breakout star on the tour of the U.S. in 2023, and the next summer, he was playing for England at Euro 2024.
Star player to watch
Bruno Fernandes
Despite spending heavily to sign Cunha and Mbeumo, Fernandes is still United's most important player. The club suffered injuries last summer, and Amorim cannot afford to lose the Portugal midfielder for any length of time. He won't be wrapped in cotton wool because Fernandes isn't that type of player, but Amorim needs him to come through the summer unscathed.
Three prospects who could break out
Diego León: The left back from Paraguay arrived this summer and made a positive impact on his debut against Leeds. He has competition from Patrick Dorgu at left wing back, but Amorim has high hopes for the 18-year-old.
Tyler Fredricson: The 20-year-old defender did well when he was thrown into the first team in difficult circumstances at the end of last season. Victor Lindelöf and Jonny Evans have both gone, so there's a chance of more minutes next season.
Toby Collyer: He has been in and around the first team for a while, but this could be his breakthrough season. Neither Casemiro nor Manuel Ugarte offers Amorim much running in midfield. Energy and enthusiasm are qualities Collyer has in bucketloads, and he's a player Amorim likes.