Manchester United will kick off their preparations for the 2025-26 campaign with a pre-season friendly against fellow Premier League outfit Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils are looking to put a disastrous 2024-25 season well and truly behind them, and head coach Ruben Amorim will be hoping for a positive result and performance in their first friendly of the summer.

Here, Sports Mole runs through five talking points ahead of the contest with the Whites.

Cunha, Leon in line for Man United debuts

Man United have included their two summer signings in their squad for the match, with Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon both in line to make their debuts for the 20-time English champions.

Cunha is set to be a vital player for the Red Devils this season, with the Brazil international expected to occupy one of the two number 10 spots in the starting side.

Leon, meanwhile, could have a first-team role to play next term; the fact that the 18-year-old has been included in the squad is telling, and it will be fascinating to see how he performs if given minutes against Leeds.

No Amass - loan exit is pending

Harry Amass was a notable absentee from the squad, especially with Leon included.

The Englishman made seven first-team appearances for Man United last season, and he is highly-rated, being viewed by senior figures at the club as a player capable of being a star in the future.

However, it is understood that he will spend the 2025-26 campaign out on loan to gain valuable experience, with clubs from the Championship said to be keen, while he is also being linked with a move to Europe.

With Amass set to leave, Leon could have a first-team role next term, especially with Luke Shaw being viewed as more of a left-sided centre-back by Amorim rather than a left-sided wing-back.

Martinez, Onana, Zirkzee are unavailable through injury

Man United will be without the services of Lisandro Martinez, Andre Onana and Joshua Zirkzee for the contest against Leeds, with all three missing out due to fitness problems.

Martinez has made excellent progress in his recovery from a long-term knee problem, but the Argentina international is not close to returning to action.

Onana, meanwhile, has a hamstring issue, but it is understood that the problem is not as serious as first feared, and he is set to be involved in the pre-season tour of the United States amid the speculation surrounding his future.

Zirkzee has also been left behind in Manchester due to a minor problem, but the Netherlands international will travel with his teammates to the United States at the start of next week.

Obi, Kone among the youngsters in Man United squad

Tyler Fredricson, Reece Munro, Godwill Kukonki, Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone, Chido Obi, Ethan Williams and Bendito Mantato are in the Man United squad alongside fellow youngster Leon.

Kone, Obi and Mantato are all highly-rated at the club, and with spots up for grabs in the squad for the pre-season tour of the United States, all of them will be looking to make a strong impression.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is attempting to put together a team for the future, and there is absolutely no question that there are some excellent young players at Old Trafford.

Obi is the big hope in the final third of the field, and the former Arsenal youngster will be looking to kick on in the new season after featuring seven times in the Premier League last season.

Garnacho, Rashford absent with duo set to leave

Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia are all currently training away from the first-team squad at Man United, with all five set to leave this summer.

As a result, it is not a surprise that they have been left out of the squad for the clash with Leeds.

Amorim is putting together a new-look attack, with Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo set to operate as the number 10s behind a new striker, providing that the Red Devils can get a forward in before the window closes.

Selling all five will bring in valuable transfer funds, but it is likely that one or two will be loan exits.

As it stands, Sancho is the closest of the five to leaving, with Juventus believed to be putting the final touches on a deal for the England international, who spent last season on loan at Chelsea.

Written by
Matt Law