Rebuilding a Giant | Manchester United | EASFC 25

[Xixak]

Manchester United Back Rúben Amorim to Continue Project Despite Final Heartbreak


Amorim retains the backing of Ratcliffe, Berrada and Wilcox after a stellar first season that ended in disappointing fashion.

May 2025 — Manchester United have confirmed that Rúben Amorim will remain as manager, offering the Portuguese coach full backing despite painful defeats in both the FA Cup Final and Europa League Final. The club’s hierarchy believes Amorim has laid a strong foundation for long-term success and remains the right man to lead United forward.

While the season ended in disappointment, the broader picture tells a very different story. Amorim guided United to a 3rd-place Premier League finish, securing a return to the Champions League and delivering one of the club’s most entertaining campaigns in over a decade. United scored freely, pressed aggressively, and produced stretches of exhilarating, high-tempo football that reenergized supporters.

Sources inside the club emphasize that the board is focused on continuity rather than upheaval. They were impressed by Amorim’s tactical adaptability — including the successful midseason transition to a 3-5-2 and then back again to the 3-4-2-1 as well as his integration of young talent and seamless onboarding of January signings.

Despite the sting of two finals lost, United view the season as a step forward, not a setback. The message from the board is clear: Amorim is building something, and the club is committed to seeing it through.

[ShireNiner]

Bring back Ole. Should have kept him and let him build!

[Xixak]

Bring back Ole. Should have kept him and let him build!

Amorim must stay

[Xixak]

Manchester United Land Takefusa Kubo in £65M Deal as INEOS Continue Global Expansion Strategy


Takefusa is set to be a major hit, expanding the club's reach and viewership in Japan.

June 2025 — Manchester United have completed the signing of Takefusa Kubo from Real Sociedad in a deal worth £65 million, marking the club’s marquee addition and the first of three major signings expected this summer as part of INEOS’ global-market strategy.

The 24-year-old Japanese star arrives as a direct upgrade on Amad Diallo, who missed most of last season with an ACL injury. Kubo is expected to take over the right attacking midfield (RAM) role in United’s 3-4-2-1 revival under Rúben Amorim, offering elite ball progression, creativity between the lines, and the explosive flair that made him one of La Liga’s most exciting attackers.

Beyond his on-pitch qualities, Kubo represents a critical piece of INEOS’ efforts to expand United’s footprint in Asia and Africa. The club’s leadership is determined to restore United as a global powerhouse, both competitively and commercially, and believe high-profile international signings are essential to reconnecting with worldwide fanbases.

Kubo is seen as the perfect blend of footballing quality and strategic value — young, dynamic, technically brilliant, and carrying immense resonance across Japan and broader Asian markets.

He becomes the first major arrival of what is expected to be a transformative summer at Old Trafford.

[Xixak]

Manchester United Sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton for £35M


Baleba has been long-sought after by Amorim even at Sporting and the 21 year old Cameroonian will play a key role for him in midfield.

June 2025 — Manchester United have secured the signing of 21-year-old midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton in a £35 million deal, making him the second major addition of the summer.

Baleba arrives to become the club’s new starting left central midfielder (LCM), pairing with Kobbie Mainoo, who retains the No. 6 shirt. The powerful, all-action Cameroonian will wear No. 5, with Danilo set to provide rotation and depth behind him.

United view Baleba as a perfect fit for Rúben Amorim’s system — energetic, progressive, hard-tackling, and capable of driving transitions through midfield. His athleticism and ball-carrying ability are expected to bring greater balance and defensive solidity to a side aiming to challenge on all fronts next season.

Baleba becomes the latest piece of a refreshed core at Old Trafford and another signing aligned with INEOS’ long-term vision for a younger, high-ceiling squad.

He becomes the second major arrival of what is expected to be a transformative summer at Old Trafford.

[Xixak]

Manchester United Grab Celtic's Reo Hatate for £9M


Hatate is a dynamic midfielder who will provide cover for Kobbie Mainoo at RCM.

June 2025 - Manchester United have completed the signing of Reo Hatate from Celtic, bringing in the 27-year-old Japanese midfielder as reliable cover and competition for Kobbie Mainoo in the right central midfield role. The deal, viewed as a smart and understated move by the club’s recruitment team, provides manager Rúben Amorim with the kind of intelligent, hard-working, tactically adaptable player his system thrives on.

Hatate arrives with significant European experience and a reputation for relentless work rate, sharp ball circulation, and positional discipline — traits that immediately drew internal comparisons to Ji-Sung Park, whose selfless contributions became emblematic of the club’s identity under Sir Alex Ferguson. United believe Hatate can offer a similar blend of energy and tactical reliability, especially in big matches where structure and intensity are essential.

While Mainoo remains the undisputed long-term starter, Hatate’s ability to play as a box-to-box midfielder, operate in tight spaces, and execute pressing triggers makes him an ideal rotational option in United’s evolving 3-4-2-1. His arrival also strengthens the club’s growing commercial and sporting footprint in Asia as part of INEOS’s wider global strategy.

Hatate will wear his new colours immediately, joining training ahead of United’s pre-season preparations.

[Xixak]

United Promote 17-Year-Old Wingback Prospect Lewis Barry to First Team


Barry is an absolutely rapid winger.

June 2025 - Manchester United have officially promoted Lewis Barry, a highly rated 17-year-old academy winger, to the first team as cover for Alejandro Garnacho in the right wingback role. The right-footed wide player has been one of the standout performers at Carrington over the past year, impressing staff with his blend of direct pace, tight control, and relentless running — traits that fit naturally into Rúben Amorim’s vertically aggressive 3-4-2-1 system.

Originally developed as an attacking winger, Barry has adapted quickly to the demands of the wingback position, showing a surprising maturity in his defensive duels and a willingness to track runners with intensity. Coaches believe his attacking instincts — especially his ability to drive at defenders and deliver early cutbacks — give United a profile that closely mirrors Garnacho’s threat on the opposite flank.

With the squad preparing for a gruelling season on multiple fronts, Barry’s promotion reflects both his elite potential and the club’s continued commitment to giving academy talent meaningful pathways to the first team. While he is expected to serve primarily as rotational depth early on, there is belief internally that Barry has the attributes to develop into a long-term contributor in Amorim’s high-energy wide roles

[Xixak]

United Sell Lisandro Martinez to Chelsea for £42M


Licha has been a good servant to the club, but was not deemed part of its long-term plans.

June 2025 - Manchester United have completed the sale of Lisandro Martínez to Chelsea for £42 million, marking a significant shift in the club’s defensive plans. The Argentine center-back, while technically gifted and experienced, has been deemed too slow to meet the demands of Rúben Amorim’s high-press, vertical system — particularly in the left-sided center-back role of the evolving 3-4-2-1 formation.

Martínez’s departure clears the way for Luke Shaw to assume the #3 shirt and take over as the starting left center-back, pairing alongside Bremer and Dalot in the back three. Shaw’s athleticism, pace, and tactical intelligence make him a natural fit for the role, especially in a system that relies on defenders to cover wide spaces quickly.

The club has also promoted academy graduate Marcus Knowles as Martínez’s backup, providing additional depth and ensuring a seamless internal succession plan. While Lisandro will be missed for his leadership and ball-playing ability, this move aligns with United’s long-term strategy of blending youth development with players suited to Amorim’s vertical, fast-paced philosophy.

Chelsea acquire a technically adept, experienced defender who can slot into their backline, while United move forward with a defense tailored for speed, pressing, and modern transitional football.

[Xixak]

Ethan Wheatley Sold to Sampdoria as United Streamline Attack


Wheatley never truly impressed as a striker for the club despite being an academy graduate.

June 2025 - Manchester United have sold 19-year-old striker Ethan Wheatley to Sampdoria for £2.5 million. The young forward, while promising, has been deemed surplus to requirements in a squad where Rasmus Højlund and Marcus Rashford will compete for the lone striker role in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, especially with Champions League commitments on the horizon.

The move gives Wheatley an opportunity for regular first-team football in Italy, while United focus their attacking resources on players capable of immediately impacting their high-tempo, vertical style.

[Xixak]

Kubo Bags Brace in Debut as United Hammer West Ham

Saturday, August 16th, 2025
Premier League | Matchday #1
Old Trafford
Manchester United (14th) vs. West Ham (19th)

5 - 0


Takefusa Kubo celebrates after his second goal of the contest.

Match Facts
51% - Possession - 49%
117 - Passes Attempted - 141
89% - Pass Accuracy - 85%
17 - Tackles - 6

Match Events
42' R. Hojlund (MUN)
64' A. Garnacho (MUN)
73' T. Kubo (MUN)
79' R. Hojlund (MUN)
85' T. Kubo (MUN)

Man of the Match
Rasmus Højlund (MUN): 10.0 rating, 2 goals, 1 assist