Manchester United pre-season begins with Cunha and Leon

Manchester United pre-season preparations resumed at Carrington on Monday, ushering in a new chapter after last year’s disappointment under Ruben Amorim. Erik ten Hag greeted fresh arrivals Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon, while the majority of first-team regulars put boots back on after a short summer break.

Manchester United pre-season welcomes fresh firepower

The training ground buzzed as £55 million forward Cunha linked up with his new team-mates for the first time. The Brazilian was immediately involved in passing drills alongside academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo and winger Amad Diallo. Leon, the 19-year-old Spanish prodigy lured from Real Madrid Castilla, filled in at left-back with Luke Shaw still in individual conditioning. Coaches are confident his energy will add competition down the flank all season.

Fernandes granted extra rest

Captain Bruno Fernandes, having logged more than 60 competitive matches for club and country last term, was given an extended holiday and will rejoin the group next week. His absence opened space for youngsters Dan Gore, Willy Kambwala and Omari Forson to impress Ten Hag’s staff during small-sided games emphasising quick transitions—an area the Dutch boss wants to sharpen before competitive action returns.

First friendly only 12 days away

Manchester United pre-season scheduling leaves little margin for easing in. The squad fly to Oslo on 15 July to face Leeds United in their opening friendly. Subsequent clashes with Borussia Dortmund, Real Betis and Inter are designed to test shape, press resistance and squad depth. Ten Hag hopes to integrate Cunha centrally and Leon at full-back long before the Premier League curtain-raiser against Brighton on 17 August.

Key tactical tweaks for the new campaign

Manchester United pre-season sessions have been tailored to eradicate the defensive lapses and sterile possession that haunted 2023/24. Assistant Mitchell van der Gaag drilled a higher back-line, with Andre Onana encouraged to act as a sweeping outlet. In midfield, Mainoo partnered Casemiro in a double pivot that looks set to be the default against top opposition, freeing Fernandes—or Mason Mount when the captain is absent—to create between the lines.

Cunha’s versatility could unlock front-line balance

Matheus Cunha impressed Wolves supporters last term by drifting wide, dropping deep and running in behind. Ten Hag sees him as the ideal foil for Marcus Rashford, whose scoring numbers dipped once opposition defences doubled up on him. Early shape-work placed Cunha as a False 9, with Rashford left and Alejandro Garnacho right—speed on both flanks and a roaming centre-forward tasked with dragging markers out of position.

Leon keen to seize his chance

Diego Leon spoke briefly to club media after the session: “I grew up watching Patrice Evra and dreamt of wearing this shirt. Now I have to prove I belong.” Coaches were struck by his acceleration and willingness to overlap, traits that could reduce Shaw’s workload and give Tyrell Malacia more license to cover centrally.

The mood around Carrington

Manchester United pre-season gatherings can make or break a campaign. Last summer’s lethargy seeped into competitive fixtures, but players and staff insist lessons have been learned. Nutritionists revamped meal plans, sports scientists introduced micro-dosing strength programmes, and Ten Hag has scheduled daily feedback meetings to maintain accountability.

Veteran defender Raphaël Varane summarised the collective mindset: “We know expectations are huge. Starting strong in July is the only way to ensure we finish strong in May.” The Frenchman completed all fitness tests without discomfort after a stop-start season and looks ready to marshal a back-line that conceded 58 league goals.

Transfer business not finished

Football director John Murtough continues to negotiate for a back-up goalkeeper and dynamic No. 8. Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy remains on the radar, but departures for Donny van de Beek, Jadon Sancho and Harry Maguire may be required before further arrivals. For now, early spending on Cunha and Leon has injected freshness and optimism.

What success will look like

Manchester United pre-season goals are crystal clear: regain Champions League qualification, mount at least one genuine domestic cup run, and close the daunting gap to Manchester City. Achieving those targets will hinge on reducing injury pile-ups, improving chance conversion—United ranked 13th for big-chance conversion last term—and establishing a coherent pressing identity.

Opinion: cautious optimism justified

Ten Hag has the squad back under his watch, and crucially he has new tools. If Cunha adapts quickly and Leon pushes Shaw, competition levels should rise across the board. Supporters must remember that pre-season form can flatter or mislead, yet the energy on day one felt markedly sharper than 12 months ago. Maintain that edge, sprinkle in overdue tactical clarity, and United have every chance of turning promise into tangible progress.