Premier League proven

Manchester United need players who are 'Premier League proven' in the summer transfer of 2025 if they are to do any better than finishing 15th, their worst in English League since being relegated in 1973-74. United stuck with manager Tommy Docherty despite being relegated then and have done the same now by continuing with Ruben Amorim. Yes, this season did feel as if United were relegated such were their poor performances: 18 defeats, 9 draws, only 44 goals scored, 54 conceded. Only three relegated teams scored fewer goals than United i.e., 17th. Ruben Amorim's record since taking over from Erik ten Hag is the worst with 6 wins, 6 draws, 13 losses, 24 points in 25 games which is less than 1 point per game.

United used to buy the best in the Premier League during Ferguson years starting with Eric Cantona from rival Leeds, young Roy Keane from Nottingham Forest and Paul Ince from West Ham, Any Cole from Newcastle, Dwight Yorke from Aston Villa, Rio Ferdinand from Leeds again, Micheal Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham, Edwin van der Sar from Fulham, Wayne Rooney from Everton and Robin van Persie from Arsenal. This trend could not be sustained due to increase in revenues of all Premier League teams compared to their European counterparts that made inter-PL club deals difficult due to high costs, but United simply made away with it which was completely wrong.

Club have announced the deal to sign Wolves number 10, Matheus Cunha the Brazilian attacker. This move was initiated towards the end of last season and concluded in early June. Cunha is physically strong, can carry the ball and is a goal threat with 15 goals last season. His childhood favourite club was Manchester United and he described joining the reds as a "dream" move. United have been linked with Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo. If it goes through United will be addressing the key issue plaguing them last season: goals. Mbeumo scored 20 goals last season with impressive stats: 7 assists, 17 big chances created, 202 crosses. Amorim's left-footed right winger. This would mean United signing two of the best attacking players from last season in Cunha and Mbeumo as per Opta. 

United do need to buy an elite number 9. But this will depend on transfer fees generated from player sales of either Rashford, Sancho, Garnacho, Anthony. Victor Osimhen's available from Napoli for 70 million euro's but his salary demands may be putting off United! He's been top scorer in Italy, Turkey, African Cup of Nations qualifying rounds. Among the Premier League teams Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa is an obvious choice but he is approaching 30 years of age. Of the right age is Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt, just 23 with 19 goals and 11 assists in Bundesliga and Europa League last season. Rasmus Hojlund will only turn 23 next year! In his prime is Osimhen and such an opportunity might not come again.

United's splurge in recent seasons has been on costly imports who were not ready made fit to the relentless pace of Premier League; be it Jadon Sancho, Anthony or Rasmus Hojlund. Their Premier League buys have been questionable like Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal and Harry Maguire from Leicester who for 80 million has yet to become the best defender in the Premier League. Jason Wilcox has been promoted from Technical Director to Director of Football and maintains a lean setup with Christopher Vivell as Director of Recruitment. It's the first summer transfer window of this team and so far, they have done the job. Wilcox's past association with Southampton will mean United might be linked with two of their wantaway stars in Tyler Dibling and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Adam Wharton is another exciting young player of interest from FA Cup winners Crystal Palace who earned high praise from Roy Keane.

Consequence of writing off a season was in lifeless final of Europa League, where Ruben Amorim played his favourite Mason Mount ahead of in-form Alejandro Garnacho while Amad had just recovered from serious injury. Abject United lost the match and a chance to return to Champions' League next season. Perhaps giving Amorim more time with players on training pitch might be a blessing in turning United's fortunes around sooner. After the Europa League final Amorim admonished a young Garnacho by reportedly saying he will be allowed to leave the club thus dimishing his transfer fee significantly. Atrocious handling of 20 year old, most exciting talent under-21 years of age in top-5 leagues of Europe.

Premier League just released the fixtures for 2025-26 season and its the most difficult start with games against Arsenal(H), Man City and Chelsea in the first five games. As usual the litmus test against Liverpool at Anfield is on October 18th. Will Amorim survive past this date? This makes it even more important for Amorim to have all his new signings ready for pre-season on 7th July.

Progress on the new stadium is most welcome

Manchester United showcased plans of new 100,000 seater stadium on 11th March by Foster + Partners, the architecture firm of Sir Norman Foster. Norman's father worked at Metro-Vick in Trafford Park, perhaps the world's first industrial estate. Foster + Partners delivered the new Wembley stadium in 2007. Two local Mancunian's in Jim Ratcliffe and Norman Foster joining hands to regenerate the wider Old Trafford area being Manchester United fans is reassuring.

Jim Ratcliffe said “Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford." Norman Foster added "This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today, with incredible regional and national significance. It all starts with the fans’ experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar. The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater."

This was the obvious next step after Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force's study of two main options to either redevelop 115-year-old marvel built by Archibald Leitch or build a new stadium altogether; delivered its verdict in favour of a new stadium on 17th January. Task Force was headed by Sebastian Coe, who successfully led London's 2012 Olympic bid and was the chairman of London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. With Coe the task force also had Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester and former United player Gary Neville.

United in April, 2022 had appointed a team led by Populous to create masterplan for redevelopment of Old Trafford. This was done by Ed Woodward and before Ratcliffe became co-owner. Populous had delivered the new 62,850 seater Tottenham stadium, considered by many to be the finest stadium in England today. Using Google tried searching for "wembley fan experience fans feedback" and got the following response in AI Overview: Wembley Stadium offers a generally good fan experience for many, particularly for major events, but some fans have reported negative experiences related to atmosphere, food and drinks, bag policies, and facilities.

New stadium at Old Trafford is modelled after the United Trident, a tower that Ratcliffe described as 'Eiffel Tower of the north". A few critics have called the umbrella enveloping the stadium as a 'circus tent'. Every new design has always had critics including the world-renowned Eiffel Tower. United certainly needed to do something about the stadium urgently as no major improvements to Old Trafford were undertaken since 2006 and it is not even on the list of stadiums for the bid of Euro 2028 by football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Since 1965 installation of cantilever stands on three sides of Old Trafford, United led the introduction of latest and innovative devlopments in stadium improvements. The glass-fronted private boxes the first in English football, executive lounges of the 70's, catering business turning profitable, thought of each area of the stadium to be financially self-sufficient, acquisition of 20-acre area around Old Trafford, second tier on existing three stands that increased capacity to 76,000. United set the record of highest average season attendance record of 75,821 in 2006-07 season. Fans have every right to hold the club accountable so that it retains the standards it set. For almost two decades fans have got a raw deal and ticket prices have continued to rise in last two seasons.

Larger worry for fans is that club continues to be in debt of over half a billion dollars; debt which was used by the Glazers to do a leveraged buyout which should never have been allowed by Football Association and the Government. Building a new stadium will add to the debt by about 2 billion dollars and the Glazers having never put a penny of their enormous fortune into the club, funds will be starved to develop the squad. Existing players are ill-suited to the system preferred by Ruben Amorim. Club should have had a reset of the playing XI, reduced the average age to 23-25, made net profits from player sales with a strong pipe of U21 and B-team players, and then embarked on working towards a new stadium.

New stadium is expected to be ready for 2031 season, built on the land adjacent to Old Trafford. Existing stadium will sustain the club for 6 more seasons by not significantly impacting the matchday revenue which would have been dented had they to play their home matches elsewhere. Naming rights to the new stadium might be inevitably sold and how odd it would be to not call it Old Trafford 'theater of dreams'. Housing projects will raise further funds but will it cater to the middle-class? Transport links will have to be ready beforehand to avert a parking nuisance for the locals. Ratcliffe certainly believes there's enough to make this work. In lieu of the boring football being played now, progress on the new stadium is most welcome.

💬 "Football first. All about atmosphere, all about fan experience."

Get insight into the planning of our new stadium from one of Foster + Partners architects 👀🏟️#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 23, 2025

Denis Law: The King of Stretford End

Denis Law passed away on 17th January, aged 84. He was part of the world famous 'United Trinity' alongside his friend George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton that dazzled in 1960's to make Manchester United football club the most admired club in the world. Denis Law was fans favourite as he gave his absolutely everything to score goals, exciting ones that showed his world-class abilities despite being slender and short in frame. He is the only player to have two statues in Old Trafford. His modest background as a son of a fisherman to being the only Scottish footballer to win the Ballon d'Or, is a remarkable fairytale.

Denis Law's first visit to Old Trafford was on 19th February, 1958 when United played their first match after the fatal crash in Munich which decimated the first team. Law was playing for Huddersfield Town's reserves under Bill Shankly where an operation to correct the squint in his eyes changed his life. Sir Matt Busby wanted to get Law after facing Huddersfield in FA Youth Cup but was unsuccessful. Debut at 16 for the Terriers and for Scotland aged 18. Sensational! Law moved to City and then to Torino for a British transfer record. Busby made Law his most expensive signing for $115,000 from Torino where Law although playing well, was finding it hard to adjust. Law wanted out and Busby would make Manchester his nirvana. Torino wanted to sell Law to Juventus for a record fee $160,000 reportedly but Law wanted to return to England to end his nightmare in Italy.

Law scored on debut against West Brom in 1962 in a 2-2 draw. United had an inconsistent season avoiding relegation in 19th position when there were 22 clubs in First Division, but managed to make it to the finals of the FA Cup thanks largely to Law's 6 goals. Law formed a great partnership with David Herd and duo scored all 3 goals in the final of the FA Cup against favourites Leicester City who had done the double over United in the League with stars like Gordon Banks, Frank McLintock, Ken Keyworth. It was United's first trophy since Munich. It was a momentous occasion for the club that was rising from the ashes literally.

The following season 1963-64 belonged to Denis Law as he scored 30 goals in League, 10 in FA Cup and 6 in Europe; 46 goals in all competitions - a record that is still held. This was mainly due to another Scot in Paddy Crerand joining United in the summer and providing more clinical assists from midfield. 18th January, 1963 will be a date that will be forever etched in memory when a young rookie George Best debuted against West Brom. It was the first of 293 matches the 'United Trinity' played together until 28th October, 1972 and scored 264 goals. Law's contribution was immense with 173 goals. Law won the Ballon d'Or in 1964 becoming the first United player and the only Scottish player to have won it. United still finished runners-up to Liverpool.

Emergence of John Connelly on the wing with 15 goals lifted United to win their first post war League title in 1965 and a second title in 1967 without Connelly but with John Ashton Jnr, David Sadler and crucially Alex Stepney as the new goalkeeper. They won the 'holy grail' the European Cup in 1968. Denis Law had a knee injury and did not play in the final. Matt Busby brought the cup to his bedside the next day! Busby announced that 1968-69 would be his last and Law banged-in 30 goals for his boss. Next season he played in only 16 games as his right knee injury blighted his contribution. Law trained alone in pre-season without taking off to regain his fitness and promptly came back to form to score 16 goals in 1970-71 season. Hugh McIlvanney argued that Denis Law would have been the only British player who could have made it to the 1970 World Cup winning Brazil team, considered the greatest team ever. 

On the eve of 1966 World Cup in England, Denis Law demanded a pay-rise from the club by writing a letter to Sir Matt Busby and going on leave. Busby informed the press about this saga by transfer listing the player and asked him to return at once to Old Trafford. United and Liverpool were the meanest clubs in First Division those days. Busby informed Law that if he apologized in front of the press, he would get a substantial pay rise in his next contract and become the best paid player at the club. Law dutifully obliged. This would quell any further discontent in the squad about money. 'Nobody is bigger than the club'. Law was intensely private person like Sir Bobby Charlton.

Law started the 71-72 season with a bang but injury limited his appearances later. When Frank O'Farrel was sacked after a heavy defeat to Crystal Palace in December of 1972, it was Law who suggested the name of reformed Scotland boss Tommy Docherty to Sir Matt Busby who was still calling the shots as a director at the club. Docherty initially steadied the club to safety and later offered Busby's favourite Crerand to be an assistant coach. Law also claimed that Docherty made a similar offer to him but was later transfer listed when on holiday with family back in Aberdeen. This saga was brought to the fore in a litigation between Docherty and winger Willie Morgan at the Old Bailey in late 70's.

Law scored 237 goals for United in 404 appearances, the 3rd highest tally behind Rooney and Charlton. Its common knowledge that he rejoined City and scored that infamous back-heel against United to confirm their relegation. What is less known is the fact that in May, 1963 Manchester City were needing a win against United in the penultimate match and were leading 1-0 when Law earned a penalty which drew the match and relegated City from the first division. 

Busby said Law was the quickest-thinking footballer he ever knew. Law would barely come-up till the shoulder of Liverpool great Ron Yeates but still managed to harass the monster out of the match. He was good with both feet, excellent in heading and knew the most important thing to do when inside the box was to score. Sir Alex Ferguson idolized him. Fans simply worshipped him. If the Team-sheet did not have his name, there were a few hundred less attending the match at Old Trafford. His work-ethic and brilliance on the ball were simply world class, cementing his status as one of true greats of the game. The King of Stretford End, hat-trick hero a record 18-times, hair-raising bicycle kicks and that celebration by raising his right arm while clutching his sleeve. Iconic.

Will Manchester United be sixth time lucky again?

Manchester United moved quickly to sack Erik ten Hag after losing 1-2 to West Ham which made them slip to 14th position in English Premier League, and appointed Ruben Amorim from Sporting in Portugal. Once the decision to sack Erik ten Hag was made the new Management team led by Omar Berrada went to Portugal to speak with Sporting and Ruben to conclude the deal in a swift manner unlike the previous drawn out saga. Amorim will be the sixth permanent Manager of the club after Sir Alex Ferguson, who was the sixth permanent Manager after Sir Matt Busby. Both the appointments are to start working in November. Both ended the duopoly of two stronger teams in their leagues in Scotland and Portugal, with Ferguson's Aberdeen knocking out Celtic and Rangers while Amorim's Sporting won against Benfica and FC Porto. Will Man United be sixth time lucky?

Yes, Amorim will be the first Head Coach of Manchester United and not the Manager as the football structure has changed since the INEOS took minority stake and control of football operations. Head Coach are the reality of modern football now. Like Ferguson ended League drought after 26 years at Manchester United, Amorim won the League in Portugal after 19 year gap. Amorim has been the most sought after coach in Europe after his Sporting team won 2 League Titles and 2 League Cup's since 2020. Amorim was on the shortlist to succeed Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, both Barcelona and Bayern Munich had him in their list, and he was interviewed by West Ham in the summer which he later described as a 'mistake'.

Amorim's teams thus far have mainly played in 3-4-3 formation with two expansive wing-backs, a position which is lacking in personnel at Manchester United. Mazraoui with his array of skills looks set take one slot but another one is a toss up between Dalot and oft injured Shaw. Garnacho and Amad could also get a mention but not so for Rashford and Anthony whose defensive qualities have been questioned in the past. His line-up could well be Onana(GK), Lindelof, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Mazraoui, Zirkzee, Hojlund, Fernandes. Without Rashford or Garnacho! Or like other previous United managers he will switch to 4-2-3-1 and fail.

In the interim fans have endeared themselves to former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy who looks the part as he handles the media with ease and loops fans at every opportunity. His first game as interim boss was in the Carabao Cup where United beat second string Leicester City 5-2, then drew 1-1 with Chelsea in the League which was a dull encounter, then beat PAOK Salonika in Europa Conference League 2-0  the first victory in Europe in 11 matches and since 1 year! Victory against PAOK was mainly due to solo exploits of Amad Diallo who was again overlooked by Erik ten Hag this season. In the FA Cup competition last year his match winner against Liverpool clearly suggested that Ivorian winger has the appetite to play in big games yet Erik ten Hag made the mistake twice! Amorim has not yet decided on keeping Ruud van Nistelrooy as part of his backroom staff.

Amorim reunites with Manuel Ugarte which might mean he can get the best out of Uruguayan midfielder. Like Erik ten Hag, Amorim also comes from a league considered lower to English Premier League and that leap of standards in competition on all fronts will take some amount of learning. His last home game was against Pep Guardiola's Man City and he won 4-1; an handsome score. His charm, wit and command over several languages including English will lend him a helping hand to navigate through the constant 24x7 pressure of being Man United manager. He considers Jose Mourinho as his mentor and Amorim is being termed as the next 'Special One' from Portugal.

United fans have been very patient and supportive of every Manager. They will embrace the Portuguese more so as it's the first 'call' of new CEO Omar Berrada and his team. Change of Manager was necessitated to save the season, getting the best coach will now help revive the push to top half of the season and target top 6 finish, may be not top 4. Club may need to support the new Manager in the January transfer window. Getting the control of the dressing room will be crucial and as Roy Keane often says they can put the manager 'under the bus'. Achieving a playing style that is evolving with every game will give huge belief to the fans that club is heading in the right direction. His ability to work with youth from the academy and even earn huge profits in transfers while still playing in his style makes Amorim perfect for Manchester United. Boas-vindas Amorim.