Can New Signings Help Strengthen Manchester United’s Starting XI?
The Premier League returns for the 2025/26 season and squads are taking shape as clubs aim to put themselves in the best possible position for the campaign ahead.
This is certainly the case for Manchester United. Ruben Amorim enters his first full season as United head coach with encouraging signs from pre-season. New signings worth over €200 million have arrived, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško joining young full-back Diego Leon at Old Trafford.
These major arrivals should immediately improve United’s starting XI. Former Brentford man Mbeumo and Cunha are already proven Premier League players. Meanwhile, Šeško is regarded as one of the most promising young forwards in European football, having spent the last two seasons with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. The 22-year-old—long a target for United—scored 27 league goals across two campaigns in Germany, and United will hope he can join the growing list of top-quality strikers thriving in England’s top division.
United’s Starting XI
The new signings mark a clear step forward as the Ruben Amorim project enters its first full campaign. Based on pre-season matches, Amad Diallo, who, along with Bruno Fernandes was one of United’s few bright sparks last season, looks likely to feature as a right wing-back or winger, playing behind Mbeumo. Patrick Dorgu, who arrived in January, will look to secure the left wing-back role, with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui offering competition.
In defence, Matthijs de Ligt will hope to stay fit after an injury-disrupted debut season in England. If he does, he will be the central figure in United’s back three, with Leny Yoro on the right and either Luke Shaw or Lisandro Martínez (when he returns from a knee injury) on the left. Harry Maguire and youngster Ayden Heaven provide back-up, with Heaven showing promising signs last season.
Midfield remains the biggest concern. Bruno Fernandes looks set to operate as a deeper midfielder due to the attacking additions of Cunha and Mbeumo. While arguably better suited to an advanced role, Fernandes is virtually undroppable at Old Trafford. He will likely be partnered with Manuel Ugarte, who endured a disappointing debut season in England. Ugarte will be desperate to rediscover the form that made him so effective at Sporting, bringing much-needed energy and mobility to United’s midfield.
After a big outlay on players that suit his system, this campaign is a huge test for Ruben Amorim and his methods.
Potential Signings Still to Come
The lack of athleticism in midfield makes United’s pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba especially intriguing as the transfer window enters its final weeks. Should United secure the 21-year-old Cameroon international, what has already been a strong transfer window could become a transformative one. Baleba fits Amorim’s system perfectly: he combines technical quality with relentless energy and has shown he can excel both as a holding midfielder and a box-to-box presence. Once again, Brighton’s recruitment has unearthed a gem.
The sudden availability of Champions League winner Gianluigi Donnarumma also presents a fascinating opportunity. While the under-fire André Onana is expected to start the season as United’s No. 1, offloading the likes of Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Højlund could free up the funds to pursue both Baleba and Donnarumma. If those two deals were added to the already completed transfers, United fans would have plenty of reason for excitement.
Possible Manchester United XI
- GK: André Onana
- CB: Leny Yoro
- CB: Matthijs de Ligt
- CB: Luke Shaw
- RWB: Amad Diallo
- CM: Bruno Fernandes
- CM: Manuel Ugarte
- LWB: Patrick Dorgu
- AM: Bryan Mbeumo
- AM: Matheus Cunha
- ST: Benjamin Šeško
Conclusion
Things can only improve for United after last season’s disastrous campaign. Following a significant outlay on players tailored to Ruben Amorim’s system, the 2025/26 season is a huge test for the Portuguese coach. There is still work to do, both in trimming the squad and reinforcing midfield, but Amorim knows he will quickly come under pressure if United’s struggles continue.
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Liam Lacey
Liam is a sportswriter from County Laois in Ireland who specializes in delivering content on GAA and Football matters (though he does see himself as somewhat of a tennis aficionado also!). Liam has written about All Ireland Gaelic Football and Hurling Championships, Premier League, Champions League and International Football offering expert opinion and match previews and predictions. Occasionally even getting some right!