Crisis at Carrington: Manchester United’s 2025 Pre-Season Already Looks Like a Disaster | OneFootball

Manchester United’s pre-season 2025 was supposed to usher in a new era, the first full summer under INEOS, with a fresh managerial approach led by Rúben Amorim and the long-awaited promise of clear direction. Instead, it’s unravelling into something painfully familiar: delay, uncertainty, and disorganisation.

With key decisions still pending both on and off the pitch, Manchester United’s pre-season 2025 is already shaping up to be one of the most chaotic and defining periods in the club’s recent history.

Instead, what they’ve received so far is more of the same—slow transfer dealings, uncertainty surrounding key players, and a squad that still feels bloated, unbalanced, and unsettled. With less than a month until the new Premier League season begins, United look unprepared on and off the pitch.

There is growing concern that the club is once again drifting or worse, sleepwalking into a campaign with no clear plan. While rivals move aggressively in the market, United’s approach seems reactive, confused, and disconnected from the scale of the rebuild that’s needed.

So, what’s going on at Carrington? Why does the 2025 pre-season already feel like a crisis? Here’s a breakdown of the warning signs Manchester United fans cannot afford to ignore.

Transfer Window Frustration: All Talk, No Action

Despite a full summer under INEOS leadership, Manchester United have made just one first-team signing, Matheus Cunha from Wolves. Though the Brazilian brings much-needed energy to the attack, he alone cannot solve the squad’s longstanding deficiencies.

The pursuit of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo has dragged on for weeks. Two bids have already been rejected, and while Mbeumo is said to favour a move to Old Trafford, United are yet to meet Brentford’s valuation. It’s a saga that highlights United’s continued issues with negotiation speed and decisiveness.

Meanwhile, many positions that need reinforcements, like goalkeeper, midfielder, and striker, remain untouched. Rúben Amorim, known for his high-intensity, system-driven approach, hasn’t had the squad to begin implementing his ideas. The tactical delay is already setting the team back. The lack of urgency in Manchester United’s 2025 preseason has already frustrated supporters hoping for a bold and structured new era under INEOS.

Major Outgoings Threaten Squad Stability—Even If Not PSR-Forced

While United aren’t believed to be under urgent PSR pressure, the situation is still delicate. According to an estimate by The Athletic, United could afford to lose around £141 million in the 2024–25 financial year and still remain PSR compliant.

In other words, they’re not at the brink, but they’re operating within a tight financial margin. That explains why the club is seriously entertaining offers for a number of first-team players, not purely out of necessity, but to remain flexible in the market and support new signings.

Here’s the current picture:

So, while the club isn’t being forced into sales to avoid sanctions, strategic exits remain crucial to reshape the squad, reduce the wage bill, and support any incoming business. The decisions now being made are less about survival and more about sustainability, flexibility, and future-proofing.

Pre-Season Preparation Already Unravelling

Beyond the transfer chaos, Manchester United’s actual preseason on the pitch has offered little reassurance. Training has begun at Carrington, but manager Rúben Amorim is working with a fragmented and unsettled squad.

Several senior players are either injured or uncertain about their future, leaving Amorim with little continuity or tactical foundation as the new season draws near. The most notable concern is André Onana, now ruled out for up to eight weeks with a hamstring injury. His absence could impact early-season momentum, particularly given Amorim’s style relies heavily on building from the back.

It’s difficult to see how the team can start strong in August without the right signings or clarity over who stays and who goes. Squad uncertainty, player fitness, and tactical delays are already threatening to derail Manchester United’s pre-season 2025 before it properly begins.

The INEOS Era: Still More Questions Than Answers

When INEOS officially took control of football operations, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, expectations were sky-high. Supporters were promised a new structure: smarter recruitment, quicker decision-making, and a football-first culture that prioritised the long-term health of the club.

But halfway through the first proper transfer window under this regime, many of those same old issues remain. Transfer negotiations still drag. Squad planning seems disjointed. And United has yet to truly assert itself in the market.

Fair enough, the team is currently undergoing behind-the-scenes changes, making technical appointments, and retooling scouting structures. But the results haven’t yet translated into a clear, ambitious transfer strategy. It still feels like United is reacting to problems rather than proactively building something cohesive.

Manchester United Pre-Season 2025: Why It Matters More Than Ever

Manchester United’s 2025 preseason is more than just a standard build-up to another campaign; it represents a critical turning point in the club’s modern history. With no European football to mask shortcomings, the pressure to show meaningful progress is higher than ever. Rúben Amorim has arrived with a clear philosophy, but he needs time, backing, and a stable squad to implement it. None of which can be guaranteed if the chaos of recent weeks continues.

Meanwhile, several high-profile players are unsettled or on the verge of leaving. INEOS, still early in their reign, must now prove that they can handle squad restructuring with speed and clarity. This summer isn’t just about getting fit or preparing for August; it’s about restoring authority, regaining trust, and finally setting a standard worthy of Manchester United’s name.

What Are the Expectations for the 2025/26 Season?

That’s the question hanging over everything. How will success for this season be defined? After finishing outside of European qualification last year, expectations have naturally dipped. Top four? Maybe. A domestic trophy? Optimistic. Should we just focus on stabilising and rebuilding? Perhaps more realistic.

The problem is, Manchester United doesn’t look like a club with a clear goal right now. The summer is meant to be a chance to reset, realign, and recharge. Instead, it’s been scattered — a slow-moving window, squad uncertainty, player frustration, and injuries already creeping in.

For a club of this stature, with the resources and global profile it possesses, “transition” shouldn’t look disorganised. United fans have heard it all before and this time, they’re watching more closely than ever.

The Alarm Bells Are Real

Manchester United doesn’t need another season of excuses. They need results both on and off the pitch. At the moment, it appears as though they are heading towards yet another season of underwhelming performance.

With just one major signing, a half-fit squad, and more questions than answers over key players, the 2025/26 campaign already looks precarious. The INEOS era still has time to prove itself, but fans are running out of patience. The current situation isn’t just a slow start, It’s a wake-up call.

If INEOS can’t course-correct quickly, Manchester United’s preseason 2025 could be remembered not for progress, but for missed opportunity.