Manchester United’s American tour has concluded, leaving a trail of positive results and a palpable sense of renewed optimism. While a pre-season trophy is far from the ultimate measure of success, the Premier League Summer Series victory has provided a glimpse into the new era under Ruben Amorim. It’s a new chapter defined by a cultural reset, tactical innovation, and a clear, albeit challenging, path forward. The question on every fan’s mind is no longer “what’s next?” but “can we truly build on this?”
A Cultural Reset: The New Old Trafford Way
For years, the dressing room at Old Trafford was plagued by what many described as a “toxic” atmosphere.1 Players lacked a clear sense of identity, and the club’s famous high standards seemed to have eroded. Amorim’s arrival has been a breath of fresh air. He hasn’t shied away from making tough decisions, and his no-nonsense approach has already paid dividends. As Luke Shaw admitted on the tour, “A lot of the time I’ve been here over the last few years it’s been extremely negative… We need a positive and healthy environment, with good energy and happiness. I think when you have all those things, you feel free and you express yourself more on the pitch.”
This cultural shift is visible not just in player comments but in the small, yet significant, details. Amorim has spoken about the changes he’s implemented, telling reporters, “I think we are better in every detail, in the organisation of the day-by-day.2 The nutrition is better, the way we cook, what we eat, and how we prepare training. I think that we are more organised.” He even mentioned the change in noise levels at mealtimes, a subtle but telling indicator of a group that is now more cohesive and genuinely enjoying each other’s company.3
The Amorim Blueprint: A Tactical Deep Dive
The most exciting aspect of the pre-season has been the clear tactical identity that Amorim is instilling. He has a particular vision, centered around a high-intensity, forward-thinking 3-4-3 formation.4 The tour has shown us a team that is not only fitter but also more tactically astute. The attention to detail has been immense, with Amorim reportedly pausing training sessions to move players just inches into the correct position.5 The goal is to make his system second nature, a finely-tuned machine where every action is instinctive.
The new attacking trio has been a revelation. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Bruno Fernandes have shown signs of a fluid, devastating front line.6 As one report noted, “There was fluency to their movements off the ball, and elegance to their one-touch interchanges on it.” Cunha’s ability to receive the ball and drive forward, Mbeumo’s intelligent runs into the channels, and Fernandes’ creative genius are all hallmarks of a system built to play fast, cohesive football.
Amorim’s post-match comments have been a mix of praise and a firm reminder that there is still a long way to go. Following the final match against Everton, a 2-2 draw, he said, “Our performance wasn’t the best and we were a little bit lazy today.7 Every small thing matters. At this football club, you cannot do anything wrong on or off the pitch because it is too big worldwide and you get punished by that.”
The Elephant in the Room: The Midfield Conundrum
While the forward line and defense have looked promising, the midfield remains a key area of concern. The new central-midfield duo of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte showed flashes of brilliance but also moments of vulnerability. Against more aggressive pressing teams, they struggled to control the tempo and were prone to turnovers. Amorim’s system demands a midfield that is not just energetic but also technically sound and capable of breaking lines.
This is a weakness that has been acknowledged by many, including Amorim himself. He has noted, “The gaps between our sectors were sometimes too big. We have a lack of pace, especially in the middle of the park, and you can feel it is hard to win and bring the ball.” The club’s hierarchy, led by CEO Omar Berrada, seems to be aware of this, with Berrada stating that the recruitment team is “working around the clock to ensure that we continue to find opportunities to strengthen our squad.”9
The hope is that the club will prioritize a signing in this area. A new, dominant holding midfielder who can anchor the team and provide a creative outlet from deep could be the final piece of the puzzle. Without it, the team risks being exposed against top-tier opposition.
A Cautiously Optimistic Future
The mood on and off the pitch is overwhelmingly positive. The players are not only buying into Amorim’s philosophy but seem genuinely happy to be doing so. “The signs are positive and we are cautiously optimistic,” Berrada told reporters, a sentiment that seems to be shared by the entire fan base. The pre-season tour has provided concrete evidence of progress—a fitter squad, a clear tactical plan, and a dressing room united under a new leader.10
Can the fans hope for a better season? Based on the evidence, the answer is a resounding yes. The team is better in every detail, as Amorim himself says. The cultural issues of the past appear to be addressed, and a new, exciting brand of football is taking shape. The weaknesses in midfield and the need for greater squad depth are real, but with the backing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS group, there is a clear strategy to address them. The “good days” that Amorim promised might not be here just yet, but for the first time in a long time, the path to them is visible.
