Manchester United’s Pre-Season Struggles Continue

Following a disappointing Premier League campaign and a Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, has acknowledged the need for significant improvements within the squad. His assessment came after United’s pre-season preparations commenced with a scoreless draw against Leeds United at Friends Arena on Saturday.

The Red Devils are aiming to bounce back from a subpar performance last season, where they also underperformed in the Champions League. The stalemate against Leeds, despite featuring new acquisition Matheus Cunha, did little to boost confidence among supporters.

Amorim conceded that his team faced difficulties and pointed out Leeds’ effectiveness in disrupting United’s pressing game by consistently securing second balls.

Manager’s Comments
  • “We encountered some problems when we tried to press high,” Amorim stated.
  • “They played long balls, won the subsequent challenges, and posed a threat in those situations.”

He specifically identified the midfield as an area needing attention.

Midfield Concerns
  • “We are lacking some dynamism, particularly in the central areas, which impacts our ability to advance the ball effectively,” he noted.
  • “However, we did manage to create scoring opportunities. There is still much to be done, but this was our first test against a Premier League opponent, and we utilized two different lineups, making it a valuable challenge.”
Looking Ahead

“As a unit, we have considerable room for improvement, including the tempo of our play and attention to detail. But we are confident we will progress,” he concluded.

Manchester United’s pre-season tour continues with a match against West Ham United at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday.