Ruben Amorim knows he will be immediately under pressure at the start of next season following Manchester United's disastrous past season. A 15th-placed finish is unnaceptable for a club of this stature and there will be no excuses heading into a brand new campaign.
There's no doubt Amorim must be backed and INEOS appear to be eyeing the right profile of players. Matheus Cunha was an excellent early capture and the dragged out negotiations for Bryan Mbeumo have resulted in another of the Premier League's best forwards arriving at Old Trafford.
Those two are just the start of what needs to be a major overhaul but fans understand that this will take time. But that doesn't mean Amorim won't have a team that can at least challenge for Europe especially if players of Cunha's and Mbeumo's standards arrive.
Here, we look at how the Portuguese coach's XI should look like once the transfer window closes on September 1. There's still plenty of time for INEOS to attend to other areas of the team.
How Amorim's Man United's XI for the 2025-26 campaign should look
Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez
One of the most controversial players United have been linked with this summer is Emiliano Martinez. The Aston Villa goalkeeper looks increasingly likely to leave Villa Park as the Midlands outfit look to deal with PSR and find a new shot-stopper.
Martinez, 32, is a veteran who knows Premier League football inside out, something that has been a problem for Andre Onana. The Cameroonian's hamstring injury may mean the Reds dip into the market for a new number one.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the club are considering a swap deal with Villa that sees Martinez arrive at Old Trafford. While younger keepers such as 23-year-old Belgian Senne Lammens have been touted, there's no doubt that signing an experienced and confident Martinez is the best option if a deal is reasonable.
Right Wing-Back: Amad
It feels extremely harsh to force Amad into a wing-back role but Bryan Mbeumo's impending arrival means the Ivorian will likely give up the right-wing. But he'll have no problem doing so given his admirable mentality to give his all for the team.
Amad's pace can cause problems and he could forge a formidable partnership with Mbeumo. There may even be a situation where the two swap over especially if one loses energy as a game peters on.
Diogo Dalot is the other option but the Portuguese was very suspect last season. There is no way Amad doesn't start in a United XI which is why he takes the right wing-back spot.
Centre-Backs: Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven
Ruben Amorim is sticking with his three-at-the-back system and all eyes will be on who enters the season as the three choices. It feels as though Leny Yoro has already established himself as one of the club's most important players.
The French teenager had a nightmare against Southampton last season but has been pretty faultless from there on out. He plays with confidence and has given some enthusing interviews that suggest he has the right mindset.
Harry Maguire has enjoyed a career renaissance on recent years and he even starred as a makeshift striker last season. Assuming it's between the England international and Matthijs de Ligt for that older statesman role at the back and he shades it on his displays last season.
It feels as though Lisandro Martinez is at a stage of his career where injuries are going to continue to plague him. It's a shame but United's most promising youth signing of the INEOS era is going to lock down a starting berth next season.
Watch this space with Ayden Heaven who caught the eye every time he was on the pitch last season. Arsenal played down losing him but he has proven to be an astute acquistion and there's no flaws in his game, offering a versatile profile that can drop into midfield. He's one of the reasons to be excited about the future.
Left Wing-Back: Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw is in the last chance saloon and one more injury should spell the end of his United career. We have seen how talented he is, in fact, arguably one of the best left-backs in the world when fit.
The injury record is a huge problem and should it take hold next season there's no way he can remain at the club. It's not his fault of course but he didn't help himself by agreeing to appear for England at Euro 2024 after an injury-ridden campaign.
Shaw might not even suit the wing-back role but his experience and obvious talent shades it over Patrick Dorgu. The latter did impress in the dull pre-season opener against Leeds United but still seems too raw.
Central Midfield: Bruno Fernandes
There's no telling where United would be without Bruno Fernandes, one of the only few positives from the worst Premier League season in the club's history. He was captain fantastic and shut Roy Keane up regarding doubts over his leadership.
There is an argument to be had that maybe entering a new era by selling Fernandes for £100m (per Sky Sports) to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal would have allowed a proper rebuild. But he deserved to have his say over his future and is the only one who drove the Reds forward through a gloomy period.
Fernandes may need to start accepting a less influental role as a playmaker to allow the likes of Mbeumo and Cunha to be more effective. He's deserved a potent number nine though and a midfield partner who can put out fires.
Central Midfield: Amadou Onana
United need a defensive midfielder who has the energy to get around the pitch and as admirable as Casemiro was in spades last season he needs replacing. The midfield market is an interesting one amid links to Juventus' Douglas Luiz.
The man who effectively replaced him at Villa is Amadou Onana and he feels the perfect option for the Red Devils. The Belgian has a huge engine room, is one of the best tacklers in the league and isn't too bad going forward either.
Onana actually turned the Reds down for Villa last summer but doesn't have the best relationship with the Villans at the moment. If we're discussing Martinez then why don't we ask about their Belgium international who could be the holding midfield profile we've been crying out for for years.
Right-Wing: Bryan Mbeumo
There is no chance United are splashing out a £71m fee (per The Guardian) for Bryan Mbeumo and not handing him a starting role on the right of Amorim's frontline. The Cameroonian was outstanding for Brentford last season, bagging 20 league goals from out wide.
Mbeumo does have the tendency to float into a central position especially on the counter and that will only benefit the Reds. It will be intriguing to see whether he becomes a talisman at Old Trafford as he has been at the Gtech where there is little to no pressure in comparison to the media hotbed that is the Theatre of Dreams.
The 25-year-old chose the club over Newcastle United and Arsenal which tells you he clearly has high hopes for the project and his role in it. He could hit the ground running in the season's curtain raiser against the Gunners.
Left-Wing: Matheus Cunha
There will be huge questions asked of Amorim if he can't get a front three consisting of Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo to perform well. The Brazilian has all the tools to be a success, with the flair and charisma befitting of the club's famous number 10 shirt he's taken from Marcus Rashford.
Fans saw flashes of his brilliance in the drab 0-0 draw with Leeds and there is plenty more to come. He has spoken well to the club's media channels after completing his move and shown clear knowledge of the Red Devils' history.
Cunha, much like Mbeumo, offers a versatile profile that allows him to move centrally if required. He struck 15 league goals last season and was crucial behind Wolves' survival.
Striker: Jean-Phillipe Mateta
The striker's market isn't the greatest and their are limited options following Liam Delap's move to Ipswich Town and Viktor Gyokeres' anticipated switch to Arsenal. If you look at the Premier League there's Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins but they reportedly want £40m (per The Mirror) and if you're spending that much you might aswell go after Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Let's be clear regarding Mateta, he wouldn't be the long term answer for United. But what he would be is a nightmare for the opposition with his six-foot-four-inch frame and clinical finishing.
The French frontman is a better option than Watkins and could help struggling strikers such as Joshua Zirkzee find their shooting boots. He managed 14 goals last season and helped Palace to their incredible FA Cup victory.
READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS HERE: