Man United pre-season report: Who has impressed for the Red Devils? What have we learned ahead of 2025-26 campaign?

Manchester United opened their preparations for the 2025-26 Premier League season with a goalless draw against Leeds United in Sweden on July 19.

The Red Devils then began their pre-season tour of the United States with a 2-1 victory over West Ham United; Bruno Fernandes came up with a brace for Ruben Amorim's side, including a goal from the penalty spot.

Man United made it two wins from two matches in the US when they beat Bournemouth 4-1 on Wednesday night, including a debut goal from Ethan Williams less than a minute after being brought onto the pitch.

Amorim's men were unable to make it three wins from three as they drew 2-2 with Everton in their final pre-season match in the United States, while they were also held to a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina on their return to Old Trafford.

Despite ending their pre-season schedule with back-to-back draws, there have been some very positive signs from the 20-time English champions throughout their tour.

Here, Sports Mole discusses the main talking points from the club's pre-season to date.

New signings Cunha, Leon both impress for Man United

Cunha and Leon both played the opening 45 minutes of the contest against Leeds, and the pair put in strong performances, proving to be two of the team's standout players in the first half of the clash.

"I think Matheus Cunha showed what we need, that he's the player when he receives the ball between the lines, he can be really aggressive in the direction of the opponent," Amorim told MUTV after the match.

"We watched [Cunha] during last season in a different team, so we expect the same thing. You can see the connection between him and Bruno (Fernandes) is still not there but it's going to be a good connection because you can put a player like Kobbie (Mainoo) there, Mason Mount there. We have to increase our quality in the final third.

'We have to understand that the kid (Leon) came from Paraguay and it's his second week in Manchester United. He did really well, he's learning things, he's powerful. He's going to be a very good player."

Leon played as the left-sided wing-back against Leeds, and he demonstrated his pace and power on more than one occasion, while his use of the ball was also excellent, with the 18-year-old showing encouraging signs.

As for Cunha, his best work against Leeds came when he was driving through the middle, and he was also aggressive in the challenge - something which was missing for the 20-time English champions last term.

Cunha was again in the XI against West Ham, playing 66 minutes of the match, and he was the player looking to drive the team forward, with the Brazilian putting in a strong performance.

Leon, meanwhile, came on for Patrick Dorgu in the 66th minute of the game with the Hammers, and it was another very encouraging performance from the teenage defender, who is set to be a part of the first team next term.

Cunha was actually left out against Bournemouth, with the attacker given a rest, but Leon played the final 20 minutes of the clash with the Cherries, and he again looked incredibly bright, especially as he drove up the pitch in the build up to Williams' goal.

Cunha was back in the team against Everton, and there were further signs that the Brazilian could be a key player for Man Utd in 2025-26, while Leon failed to make an appearance from the bench.

The Brazilian completed his first 90 minutes for the Red Devils in their match against Fiorentina, while Leon was once again an unused substitute.

Man United desperately need a new centre-forward

Chido Obi is a huge talent, and the indications are that he will go on to have an excellent career, but the ex-Arsenal youngster is not yet ready to lead the line at Man United.

The 17-year-old should have a role to play in the coming season, and he impressed in the first half of the game with Leeds, firing a decent attempt just wide of the post, before being replaced by Rasmus Hojlund.

Hojlund struggled in the opener with Leeds, and it was clear that Man United simply had to sign a new striker, as Joshua Zirkzee is also better in the number 10 spot.

Hojlund started through the middle against West Ham before being replaced by Obi in the 66th minute, but it was Fernandes who came up with the brace to allow the Red Devils to triumph.

Against Bournemouth, Hojlund was much improved, finding the back of the net early on, but Amorim admitted after the match that his future at Old Trafford is far from certain.

Hojlund was dropped from the starting team against Everton, and the striker failed to make an impact after replacing Cunha from the bench in the 72nd minute.

Mason Mount was the man who spearheaded the attack in their final friendly against Fiorentina, and while he had some encouraging involvements, it is clear that his position is deeper on the pitch.

Benjamin Sesko had emerged as the club's leading striker target, and the 6'5" striker was unveiled to the Old Trafford crowd ahead of their Fiorentina friendly, with the club hoping that he can lead them forward this season.

Fernandes should not be dropped deeper this season

Fernandes played in central midfield against Leeds and Bournemouth, and that is expected to be the case for a lot of the coming season, with Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha set to operate as the number 10s behind a centre-forward, most likely to be Sesko.

Amad Diallo, Mount and Zirkzee are also options in that area of the field, so Fernandes is likely to operate in a deeper area, but whether he can influence matches in the same manner remains to be seen.

Indeed, Fernandes made much more of an impact as a number 10 against West Ham, scoring twice.

The Portugal international had a sensational 2024-25 campaign from a personal point of view, and the fact that he has rejected the chance to leave Man United this summer is a major positive for the club.

Amorim is concerned by the lack of pace in the middle of midfield, though, admitting after the game with Leeds: "We have a lack of pace, especially in the middle of the park, and you can feel that's hard to bring the ball."

That was extremely apparent for Everton's goal to make it 2-2, with Fernandes losing the ball before being unable to catch the breaking Iliman Ndiaye, with the Toffees scoring from the resulting attack.

Fernandes is likely to be used in a deep area this term, but he reminded Amorim of the impact that he can have in the number 10 spot when he took to the field against West Ham.

Mantato could play a lot of football for Man United in 2025-26

Man United have a lot of talented youngsters in their current squad, and one of those, Bendito Mantato, was introduced at the interval of the clash with Leeds in the pre-season opener.

The 17-year-old played further forward, and he made a big impression with his performance.

Mantato scored 10 goals and registered four assists in 20 appearances for Man United's Under-18s and Under-21s last term, including seven goals in 11 appearances in the Under-18s Premier League.

The youngster also managed two goals and three assists in four outings in Premier League 2, and he is viewed as one of the best talents in the English game.

Mantato has previously drawn comparisons with Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka due to his playing style. Like Saka, Mantato came through the youth system as an attacking left-back, but he is now primarily bring used down the right, and Amorim is clearly a huge fan of the teenager.

The youngster was not used against West Ham, but he came off the bench against Bournemouth, playing the final 20 minutes of the Premier League Summer Series match.

Man United are more intense

It is always difficult to read too much into pre-season, but there have been so many positive signs for the 20-time English champions thus far, with their intensity much, much higher.

The wins over West Ham and Bournemouth will certainly have boosted confidence in the camp, especially as six goals have been scored, while their defensive performances have also been strong.

Amorim knows that he simply has to get it right this season, as failure would likely cost him his job, and it would be some statement of intent if the Red Devils could open their Premier League campaign with a win over Arsenal.