Manchester United's players are set to begin their pre-season preparations at the Carrington training ground on Thursday, a mere 46 days after the conclusion of their previous campaign.
A contingent of notable players, including those who did not feature in the recent World Cup, will be among the first to report for duty. This group includes Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, and Luke Shaw. Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Patrick Dorgu, and Tom Heaton are also expected to be present, alongside a number of younger players. Toby Collyer, Harry Amass, and goalkeeper Radek Vitek, who spent last season on loan, are anticipated to rejoin the squad.
Players who participated in the World Cup will return on a staggered basis, typically receiving three to four weeks of rest after their country's elimination. Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, who advanced to the quarter-finals with England, will have a later return. Lisandro Martinez (Argentina), Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco), and Senne Lammens (Belgium) are also among those who reached the latter stages. Players like Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, whose Portugal team exited in the round of 16, will follow similar return schedules, as will Matheus Cunha (Brazil) and Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast). Tyler Fletcher's Scotland team was eliminated at the group stage.
Injury updates reveal that Manuel Ugarte sustained a suspected torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during Uruguay's World Cup group stage match against Spain. Ugarte, who was reportedly a transfer candidate, faces a lengthy rehabilitation period. Matthijs de Ligt is also expected to miss the start of the new campaign after undergoing corrective surgery in May for a persistent back problem that has kept him sidelined since late November. The surgery prevented his participation in the World Cup and his return is not anticipated until the early stages of the season.
In terms of transfer business, Manchester United has agreed to a £50 million deal with Chelsea for Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos. The 22-year-old has reportedly agreed to personal terms and is expected to undergo a medical soon. The club has also been linked with Atalanta's Ederson, though initial concerns over a medical examination have led to uncertainty, which United has denied may derail the move. The situation with Ederson remains unclear as he is currently on a break after Brazil's World Cup exit.
Manchester United is actively pursuing further midfield reinforcements, with Bournemouth's Alex Scott reportedly a high-priority target. However, Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to sign an extension with Real Madrid. The club is also seeking a left-sided attacker, with Crysencio Summerville of West Ham mentioned as a potential target, in addition to a left-back and a backup goalkeeper.
Pre-season activities will commence with medical testing and fitness assessments for all players. The squad will then engage in intensive conditioning work. The team has a short turnaround before their first friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki on July 19, where many young players are expected to feature. Subsequent friendlies are scheduled against Rosenborg (July 24), Atletico Madrid (August 1), and Paris Saint-Germain (August 8). Unlike previous years, United will not undertake a traditional pre-season tour, instead flying in and out for individual matches, with the exception of a training camp in Dublin preceding a match against Leeds on August 12.
Head coach Michael Carrick expressed optimism about the upcoming season, stating his ambition for the club to "compete for the biggest trophies" on all fronts. He highlighted the team's potential for improvement and the commitment of the players, emphasizing the need to maintain high standards to achieve success in the Premier League and other available competitions. Carrick anticipates the return of European nights to Old Trafford and believes the team is poised for progress.