Manchester United's first season under manager Erik ten Hag proved to be enjoyable, culminating in the team's Carabao Cup triumph over Newcastle United and their third-place finish in the Premier League, securing a spot in the Champions League.
However, the start of the 2023/24 campaign presented challenges for the Red Devils as they struggled to maintain their Champions League status and failed to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Despite these difficulties, the team has been striving to improve since the beginning of 2024. It eventually saw them beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final. However, they are quite far from the quality presented by strong rivals.
United made significant signings last summer as Andre Onana and Rasmus Højlund joined the squad. While Onana is still in the process of fully integrating into the team, there is optimism surrounding his potential for success in the upcoming season. Højlund, despite facing challenges, has begun to adapt to the team, though his goal-scoring form in 2024 was hampered by fitness issues.
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe now among the owners of Manchester United, a major squad overhaul is expected during the upcoming summer transfer window. Players such as Antony, Camemiro, and Raphaël Varane face uncertain futures at the club, while Anthony Martial is confirmed to leave the club.
Under the Ineos project, the club have completed the signings of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, while also targeting two centre-backs in hopes of finalizing the transfer of at least one.
The summer is poised to bring significant changes to both the club and the squad, with time revealing which players will stay and which will depart.
Manchester United pre-season 2024/25 confirmed schedule
Manchester United faced the Norwegian side Rosenborg in their first pre-season fixture, and unfortunately, they were defeated by the rivals.
Their next opponents were Rangers as part of their preparations for the 2024/25 season. It was the first meeting between the two sides since the last showdown in 2010, and United emerged as the victors from the game.
Later on, the Red Devils returned to the United States for the second consecutive year for a series of matches against top-tier oppositions.
Erik ten Hag's side played against two of their biggest Premier League rivals: Arsenal and Liverpool. Unfortunately for the team, the Red Devils faced defeats in both matches.
Before facing the Reds, Erik ten Hag and his side went face to face against Real Betis at Snapdragon Stadium, where the English giants celebrated a 3-2 victory.
- July 15, 2024 Rosenborg 1-0 Manchester United (Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim/Norway)
- July 20, 2024 Rangers 0-2 Manchester United (Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
- July 27, 2024 Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles)
- Aug 1, 2024 Manchester United 3-2 Real Betis (Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego)
- August 4, 2024 Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool (William Brice Stadium, South Carolina)
Image Source: Getty Images
Manchester United pre-season 2023/24 results
Manchester United traveled to the USA for the 2023 summer pre-season tour for the first time in five years.
Erik Ten Hag's team faced Leeds on July 12 to celebrate a 2 - 0 win over the opponents. Later, the Red Devils' opponents were French side Lyon, with Donny van de Beek's goal securing a win for the team.
United played against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on July 23 to beat the opponents both during the full-time game and in the penalty shootouts. The club's academy products tried their best against Wrexham on July 26, being beaten with a score of 3 - 1.
Erik ten Hag's side were defeated 2 - 0 by La Liga giants Real Madrid on July 27. Next on their list for pre-season preparations were Bundesliga's Borussia Dortmund. The latter beat the Premier League giants with a score of 3 - 2.
United's next pre-season game was against Lens as the Premier League team celebrated a 3 - 1 win over the French side. On August 6, the club played their last preparation game versus Atletico Bilbao.
- Jul 12 Man Utd 2 - 0 Leeds United (Ullevall Stadion, Oslo)
- Jul 19 Man Utd 1 - 0 Lyon (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
- Jul 23 Arsenal 0 (3) - 2 (5) Man Utd (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford)
- Jul 26 Man Utd 1 - 3 Wrexham (Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego)
- Jul 27 Man Utd 0 - 2 Real Madrid (NRG Stadium, Houston)
- Jul 31 Man Utd 2 - 3 Dortmund (Allegiant Stadium, Paradise)
- Aug 5 Man Utd 3 - 1 Lens (Old Trafford, Manchester)
- Aug 6 Manchester United 1-1 Atletico Bilbao (Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland)
How to watch Manchester United pre-season 2024/25
Manchester United pre-season 2024/25 matches will be streamed for free via MUTV.
Manchester United 2024/25 pre-season squad
Goalkeepers: André Onana, Altay Bayındır, Tom Heaton
Defenders: Lisandro Martínez, Raphaël Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf, Jonny Evans, Willy Kambwala, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Midfielders: Casemiro, Sofyan Amrabat, Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Shola Shoretire
Attackers: Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Amad Diallo, Rasmus Højlund
When does Manchester United’s 2024/25 Premier League season start?
The Premier League has released the official schedule for the 2024/25 season, revealing that it will start on August 17, 2024, after the conclusion of the 2023/24 season on May 19, 2024. There will be a gap of 90 days separating the two seasons.
How Manchester United could line up for the 2024/25 season