With 1 month and 1 day (from time of posting) until Manchester United get their 2025/2026 Premier League season underway with a tricky clash at home against Arsenal, this will be the starting point of a crucial season which could define the next 5+ years at the club. With no European football, a manager being given his first full season as the club try and overhaul years of mismanagement, and transfer activity which has been slow compared to those teams United wish to compete alongside.

With all that said, we are going to be bold and make a prediction for what starting XI we think will start against Arsenal, based on the current squad, possible incomings and a few predicted tactical decisions that Amorim may make, given the importance of the season opener, and the tough opposition visiting Old Trafford. While we’ve kept a largely existing selection, there could be additions to come, but let’s hope United sort themselves out enough so that we have a bit more to choose from in just over a month.

As always, if you have any thoughts on Manchester United ahead of the new season or for the rest of the summer and the possible transfer activity that we could see, get in touch with us by leaving a comment, following us on Bluesky (@NextGoalWinner) or Instagram (@NextGoalWin) and check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner).

Goalkeeper: Onana

While this might irritate half of the fanbase, I can’t see United being able to attract a high level keeper who could join this summer and replace Andre Onana. Given the slow pace of several transfer rumours thus far, I feel United will likely stick with Onana this season as one final opportunity, while next summer could see a decent spend on a new no.1 to be a replacement if the same issues occur again. Onana doesn’t fill many with confidence (including his own back-line), but there’s few top-level keepers on the move this summer, and United will be hesitant to spend £40million+ on anyone if they can’t be sure of the results.

Despite Onana staying between the sticks, I do see a potential substitute keeper being brought in this window, either to challenge Onana more than Bayindir, or possibly be a look ahead to the future in many 1/2 years time. This will mean a cheaper fee, no drastic changes initially and still a feeling of increased competition for the current main choice.

Defence: Dorgu, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui, Dalot

While this selection may also disappoint many who want to see new shiny toys in the XI, I think the back-line will be largely similar as last season, with no real desire for additions other than a potential wing-back. I think on the left we may see another addition, as Diego Leon isn’t likely to feature heavily this season, Amass could maybe do with a loan move for experience, Shaw is more suited to centre-back and Dorgu looks promising but could do with a back-up or challenger. If United do pick up a wing-back, I don’t see this being a huge move and so I think Patrick Dorgu will still be given the starting spot.

On the other side, I think we feel quite covered as Dalot, Mazraoui and Amad can all fit into the right wing-back role. I think in half of the games this season we may see Amad start in this position if United are expecting to be in control for large periods, however given the opposition of Arsenal, I think United will opt for the more secure defensive option in Diogo Dalot, with a possible substitution if United have a need to push up later in the game.

Through the middle of the defence I think we are most covered, with options available in all 3 spots. I think we will see Leny Yoro have a breakout season after last years impressive campaign, and I think Maguire and De Ligt will battle for the centre back spot. On the right centre back, I would usually expect Yoro to be there and then Martinez, Shaw or Heaven to battle on the left, but given the opposition, I think Mazraoui would be the best option to complement the others and also contain the opposition.

Midfield: Casemiro, Fernandes

In the midfield, I expect to see 1 addition this summer to offer some energy in the midfield which could free Fernandes up to roam more in an advanced position. However, despite expecting someone to come in, I think Amorim will go with the experience of Casemiro to try and limit any uncertainty in the XI for the opening game of the season. Alongside him, I think Fernandes will be given more duties in the midfield to allow those ahead to be the creative outlets, maybe even being given a ‘quarterback’ duty for most of the games this season.

Despite the selection to start, I fully expect around the 60 minute mark to see changes in the midfield, with Fernandes replacing one of the no.10s and pushing up, and Casemiro to be replaced for fresher legs. For this, I see Ugarte and Mainoo being utilised in these roles and being a more aggressive and energetic midfield duo to see out games or give United a new fresh energy in the final third of games. I hope to see Mainoo used more regularly from the start, and we could see Casemiro playing every other game in his final year at the club, but as mentioned I believe the more experienced choices will be used against Arsenal, and we could see another addition joining the club and providing a different option depending on incomings.

Forwards: Cunha, Watkins, Mbeumo

I kept you waiting for a while to name some new incomings, but my front 3 has plenty of new names to offer. I do think United will bring in a left wing-back for the bench, a central midfielder who may bed in during the first few weeks of the season, but up top I expect to see a new look front line, with plenty of Premier League experience which will allow them to start the first game with no issues.

Cunha joined from the first day of the window, and already has been seen in training. As the flair signing of the summer, he offers goals and assists alongside his creativity, aggression and passion to win at all costs. While he has frustrated United in recent years, fans will likely be able to get behind their new man as goals and excitement are much needed at the club.

On the other side as the right-sided no.10 Bryan Mbeumo who at time of writing is still yet to confirm a move as United and Brentford remain at a stalemate while other clubs make signings all over the place. This signing is surely going to be done soon however, and could be one of the most sensible moves of the summer as he brings in goals, assists, chances and a confidence that doesn’t always make highlight reels which reminds me of a Mo Salah-like play style. Mbeumo will be a great move to also provide an option through the middle of the attack and play Fernandes, Amad, Mount, Zirkzee or even Mainoo in the 10 role, but I think he will feature heavily from the start of the season in this position.

Finally, the most rogue suggestion I’ve made is to lead the line for United, as their striker options have slowly fallen off this summer. From Gyokeres, Osimhen, Ekitike, Sesko and even Jamie Vardy, Ollie Watkins feels the most likely given United’s position this summer. With the player likely to want a move away from Villa, Villa could do with selling a player to bring in funds, and the price could be negotiated towards the end of the window with all other possible suitors eyeing up other options. Although not the flashiest striking choice, for around £40million, you could get 2-3 good years from Watkins while also planning ahead for Chido or Hojlund to step up following this. If United keep Hojlund, I think we will see him play a backup role for this season alongside Zirkzee and Chido, but United have been keen to add Premier League proven players to their squad, and Watkins does this for a reasonable fee and a sensible transfer. If United move Hojlund on this summer, I would still expect Watkins to be the replacement, but maybe then also a player like Vlahovic, Calvert-Lewin or even the aforementioned Vardy as the rotation alongside Zirkzee and Chido.

In this forward line, I have expected the 4 exiles to all depart as United look to bring in funds for certain moves, plus the manager would likely need the backing of moving these players on, and I really can’t see a situation where Antony, Rashford, Garnacho or Sancho get back into this squad, and certainly not in the XI for the opening game of the season.

Don’t forget to share your predicted XI with us over on our social media platforms (Bluesky @NextGoalWinner – Instagram @NextGoalWin – YouTube @NextGoalWinner), and also if you think there could be any extra additions to the squad by the time the season rolls around then let us know who you think might be on the way in this summer.