Manchester United are days away from the start of pre-season with just one major signing made

Manchester United return to pre-season training on Monday as they prepare for a huge season under Ruben Amorim.

The Reds endured a disastrous 2024/25 campaign, finishing 15th in the Premier League with a goal difference of minus 10. The club has so far only made one major signing in Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, while they continue to pursue Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.

There is growing frustration among United fans due to the lack of sales and only one new player joining the squad. However, there is still ample time for the Reds to bring in new players before their first competitive match of the 25/26 campaign. United’s season begins at home against Arsenal on August 17.

Here are some of the latest stories about United this summer, along with our take on each.

Tottenham claim

Football finance expert Dan Plumley has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur could finance a move for United’s Marcus Rashford this summer.

“You would anticipate his wage demands would be pretty high,” he said via Tottenham News.

“If you look at that in the context of Spurs, that’s not necessarily an issue for them on a wages turnover position, because theirs has historically been lower than 50 per cent in the last few seasons.

“So, if you look at wages to turn over headroom, and obviously wrapping that up into UEFA and squad cost, it’s plausible.

“The bigger question is, again with Spurs, how much are his wage demands, what does he want, and you’ve got to factor that into the long-term contract position before you’ve even engaged on a fee.

“It’s one of those where Spurs could afford it in the long-term, and they’re going to have Champions League money as well to boost that in the season that we’re coming into, but it’s whether or not they really want to outlay a significant amount of wages on that kind of player, and then the fee over the top.”

Isaac Seelochan of The Manchester Evening News says: “It feels inevitable that Rashford will leave United this summer, whether that is on a permanent deal or another loan move. Ideally, he will go abroad so the Reds will avoid the potential embarrassment of him coming back to haunt Amorim.

“However, Premier League clubs are more likely to be able to afford him, so a stay in England can’t be ruled out.”

David ‘shock’

Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed there was shock United did not make a move for striker Jonathan David before he joined Juventus on a free transfer this summer.

“I have chased this with his people, and I can confirm they have been shocked by the lack of significant talks with most Premier League clubs, including United,” he told United In Focus.

“Yes, David, who is joining Juventus now, was asking for a substantial wage packet, but he was on a free transfer.

“Personally, I believe the David situation reminds me of Marcus Thuram – similar situation where he was available on a free transfer, but the Premier League clubs were unmoved, but then he went to Italy and was a huge success and we see teams even now being linked with him for £50/60million.

“I think the same will be true of David – I don’t doubt he will score goals in Serie A.”

Isaac Seelochan of The Manchester Evening News says: “David would have undoubtedly been an upgrade on United’s current options up front. But there was clearly something the club did not like about him as a player, and perhaps the player himself would have preferred Juve anyway, with the Italians able to offer Champions League football.”