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2025 was a real rollercoaster ride for Manchester United fans. The year began with the aftermath of a disastrous previous season, as the team, led by Ruben Amorim, who arrived at the end of 2024, tried to climb out of the hole. The 2024-25 season ended in May: United reached the Europa League final but lost 1-0 to Tottenham in Bilbao thanks to a goal from Brennan Johnson. This meant no European football for the first time in many years: a huge blow after dramatic comebacks in the play-offs against teams such as Lyon.
Incidentally, many fans of this football club now play the crash game Chicken Road between matches. It's a great way to earn money for trips to Manchester United's best matches. The game adds adrenaline, especially when things aren't going so well on the pitch.
Things were even worse in the Premier League. United finished in 15th place. This is one of the worst results in the club's history. Amorim did not mince his words, calling his team the worst in history after defeats such as the one against Brighton. Heavy defeats piled up, and the atmosphere around Old Trafford was gloomy before the summer.
Summer restructuring and transfers
Off the pitch, things took a turn for the better. The club spent huge sums in the transfer market, signing talents such as Benjamin Sesko from Leipzig, Bryan Mbeumo, Mateus Cunha, young goalkeeper Senne Lammens, Patrick Dorgo and Diego Leon. More than £250 million was spent on rebuilding the squad. Big names left: Rashford on loan to Barcelona, Garnacho permanently to Chelsea. It felt like a real reboot under INEOS ownership.
By the end of the year, Manchester United transfer rumours were rife again. There were whispers of a chase for midfielders or defenders in January, especially with injuries biting hard. Names like Alex Scott or younger full-backs were mentioned as Amorim tried to refine his 3-4-3 system, which did not always work perfectly.
The battle on the pitch and highlights of the 2025-26 season
The new season started without European football, which allowed for more focus on domestic cups and the league. By the end of December 2025, United were sitting in 7th place in the Premier League with 26 points after 17 games. Not a disaster, but inconsistent. Victories over big teams, such as the early derby, showed potential, but defeats to teams they should have beaten held them back. Injuries didn't help: Bruno Fernandes was out for weeks with a muscle problem, Kobbie Mainoo struggled for minutes, and Maguire and De Ligt were also on the sidelines.
Amorim grew into the role, acknowledging that he had become a better manager after a difficult first year. He mostly stuck to his tactics but adapted as he went along. Players like Mbeumo shone with goals, and the youngsters were given chances. The matches were memorable for their chaos: for example, the epic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth in December, where Cunha and Fernandes carried the team, but in the end it all ended dramatically. There are no trophies yet, and early exits from the cups hurt, but signs of progress are visible.
Excitement about Manchester United's new stadium
The biggest news off the pitch in 2025 is the stadium. In March, the club confirmed plans for a new 100,000-seat arena next to Old Trafford, designed by Foster + Partners with a huge canopy. It will be the largest stadium in Britain, part of a large-scale regeneration of the area that will create thousands of jobs and give a significant boost to the economy. The government has given its support, and negotiations have been ongoing throughout the year, although there have been some adjustments: possibly the removal of parts of the canopy to speed up construction.
Construction is planned to take five years, with the aim of completion by 2030-2035. Old Trafford will remain in use during the work, then the new stadium will take over. Fans are delighted with the modern home that will replace the leaky and outdated Theatre of Dreams. This provides a huge incentive, especially after the club's financial records: revenues reached £666 million despite the absence of the Champions League.
A look at 2026
Summing up 2025, the future looks mixed but optimistic. The absence of Europe means an easier schedule, a chance to climb higher in the table and compete for the top four. Manchester United transfer rumours hint at January reinforcements, possibly a midfielder or competition for Dorgu on the left flank. Amorim says he has learned a lot, with players like Mainu seen as the core for years to come.
If the new signings work out and injuries subside, 2026 could bring challenges for the top spots. The new stadium project is something grand ahead. It's been a tough year with lows like 15th place, but signs of improvement keep hope alive. |
