There’s a bit of a feel-good feeling at Manchester United currently, with the dark clouds that engulfed Erik ten Hag for much of last season appearing to lift.
The Red Devils rounded off a tumultuous campaign with victory in May’s FA Cup final, sealing s safe passage into the Europa League after a record-low Premier League finish had threatened a 2024/25 season without any kind of continental football.
Ten Hag has been backed by United’s new minority owners INEOS, extending his contract by a year, and work is now being done behind the scenes to restore the club to their former glory.
A new coaching staff has been employed to help Ten Hag improve on-field performances, and widespread changes have been made upstairs as United seek to be far more efficient with their transfer dealings.
Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee are the first two players to have been checked in at United, costing just shy of £100m if all payments are fulfilled, but there’s a number of existing players who could have a major influence on whether or not the club are able to push forward and reach their former level.
Mason Mount’s first season at Manchester United was disappointing to say the least, largely thanks to a calf injury that sidelined him for four months.
The Red Devils committed to paying Chelsea £55m for Mount, but their investment yielded just 14 Premier League appearances during 2023/24 and a further six in all competitions.
Erik ten Hag specifically wanted to sign Mount because of his tenacity, work rate and positional versatility, so his return to fitness could provide United with a huge boost as they look to put behind them the disappointment of an eighth-place Premier League finish – their lowest ever return.
It’s unlikely Amad Diallo will be an immediate starter for United during 2024/25, but the Ivorian showed more than enough at the back end of last season to suggest he has a big role to play at Old Trafford.
The highlight of Amad’s breakthrough was his stunning winner against Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, but he also contributed against Newcastle United in the Premier League as Ten Hag sought to give the 22-year-old more minutes.
With Antony misfiring, Jadon Sancho only just reintegrating and Bruno Fernandes far better in a central berth, now could be the time for Amad to stake a claim for a prominent role.
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