Football writer Alex Keble assesses each Premier League club and their prospects for the 2024/25 season.
Manchester United
The first summer since INEOS took charge of football operations at Manchester United was supposed to feel different - and at first it did.
Dan Ashworth began his role as sporting director, two excellent signings were made, and after committing to Erik ten Hag the club appeared to have turned a corner.
But then Leny Yoro’s foot injury and some choice words from Ten Hag about the standard being set in pre-season has set off alarm bells for the club who have won the most Premier League titles of any team in history.
You would hope for greater purpose, clarity, and unity ahead of a huge season; ahead of a make or break campaign for Ten Hag and a sliding doors moment for INEOS.
Performance last season
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 |
Spurs
TOT
|
38 | +13 | 66 |
| 6 |
Chelsea
CHE
|
38 | +14 | 63 |
| 7 |
Newcastle
NEW
|
38 | +23 | 60 |
| 8 |
Man Utd
MUN
|
38 | -1 | 60 |
FA Cup: Winner
EFL Cup: Fourth round
UEFA Champions League: Group stage
Last five seasons
| Season | League position |
|---|---|
| 2019/20 | 3rd |
| 2020/21 | 2nd |
| 2021/22 | 6th |
| 2022/23 | 3rd |
| 2023/24 | 8th |
Best Premier League finish
Champions: 1992/93; 1993/94; 1995/96; 1996/97; 1998/99; 1999/00; 2000/01; 2002/03; 2006/07; 2007/08; 2008/09; 2010/11; 2012/13.
See: More about Man Utd's history
Season aims
Man Utd need to get back into the Champions League, but arguably it is even more important that a clear identity emerges.
Ajax-like tactics – or a variant inspired by the fast and direct attacking football Ten Hag has previously identified as United’s DNA – simply must be visible this autumn.
United don’t just need to improve on last season. They need to be unrecognisable.
Key transfers
Joshua Zirkzee’s ability to play as a goalscoring "false nine" has the potential to be transformative for Ten Hag.
Yoro, a modern centre-back with the speed required for United’s defence to push up and close those midfield gaps, could be similarly important when he returns towards the end of the year.
The late additions of ex-Ten Hag underlings at Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, from Bayern Munich, shortly after the exit of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, speeds up the revolution in United's defence.
Man Utd's key transfers so far
| Player | Transfer type | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua Zirkzee |  Transfer In |
Bologna |
| Leny Yoro | Transfer In |
Lille |
| Raphael Varane |  Released |
- |
| Anthony Martial | Released |
- |
| Aaron Wan-Bissaka | Transfer Out |
West Ham |
| Matthijs de Ligt | Transfer In |
Bayern Munich |
| Noussair Mazraoui | Transfer In |
Bayern Munich |
See: Clubs' summer 2024 transfers
Tactics
Ten Hag needs to radically alter the way his team play this season, so expect tactical changes.
Compression between the lines is the biggest issue. From opposite ends of the pitch Zirkzee, Yoro and De Ligt should help with this.
Injury report
| Player | Injury | Latest update |
|---|---|---|
| Tyrell Malacia | Knee | Details |
| Leny Yoro | Foot | Details |
| Rasmus Hojlund | Hamstring | Details |
| Victor Lindelof | - | Details |
| Will Fish | - | Details |
| Jonny Evans | Ill | Details |
| Luke Shaw | Calf | Details |
Pre-season results and fixtures
15 July Rosenborg 1-0 Man Utd Report
20 July Rangers 0-2 Man Utd Report
28 July Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd Report
1 Aug Man Utd 3-2 Real Betis Report
4 Aug Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool Report
10 Aug v Man City (Wembley) FA Community Shield
What the manager says
Erik ten Hag: "The start is the foundation. If you have a good start it gives you a foundation to run into a successful season. But if you don't get it, you have to keep going. It can still be a successful season because seasons are very long and trophies are always won in April or May.
"You don't have to [have a good start] but it is very helpful if you do. But the season is long. Of course we are aiming for this. In this period of the year we are aiming to get a successful start."
Best XI (4-3-3)
Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw; Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro; Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho; Joshua Zirkzee.
Opening PL fixtures
Kits
See: More details at Man Utd's online store