Manchester United’s post-Sir Alex Ferguson era has been a rollercoaster of soaring highs and crushing lows.
Erik ten Hag fell short of meeting lofty expectations despite securing two cup successes during his tenure.
Disastrous results in the Premier League, highlighted by the club’s worst-ever top-flight start in 2024/25, proved the Dutchman’s scourge at Old Trafford.
Caretaker manager Ruud van Nisterlooy has steadied the ship, inspiring United to three wins in four games in charge, setting up the platform to build on for the incoming Ruben Amorim.
The highly-rated Portuguese tactician arrives at the Theatre of Dreams with an esteemed reputation following his work at Sporting CP, looking to restore glory days in the red part of Manchester.
During his trophy-laden stint in Lisbon, Amorim established Sporting as one of the most entertaining teams football on TV has to offer before earning a call from United.
However, the task awaiting him in the Premier League is nothing short of Herculean, with the Red Devils already trailing table-topping Liverpool by 13 points.
With the long-awaited league title a pipe dream, Amorim must not neglect other competitions to help Man Utd avoid their first trophyless season since 2021/22.
One of Amorim’s first assignments will be to help United rediscover their scoring instincts after netting a mediocre 12 goals in the opening 11 Premier League rounds.
Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres could reinforce United’s frontline as Barcelona sporting director Deco denied the club’s interest in the Swede, paving the way for the Red Devils via Fabrizio Romano.
Another Sporting ace could follow in Amorim’s footsteps, with the Daily Mirror naming Pedro Goncalves among the 39-year-old’s top targets for the upcoming transfer window.
For the time being, that’s all speculation as we rank the likelihood of the trophies Man Utd can win this season.
Europa League
Man Utd’s first Europa League campaign since 2022/23 got off to a disappointing start.
Three consecutive draws at the beginning of the newly formatted league phase cast doubt on United’s continental credentials.
However, Van Nisterlooy got the Red Devils off the mark with a 2-0 home win against PAOK, rekindling their hopes of conquering Europe’s second-tier competition for the first time since 2017.
Amorim’s arrival bodes well as the 20-time Premier League champions bid to secure automatic knockout qualification despite lagging three points behind eighth-placed FCSB.
Lazio, Roma, Tottenham Hotspur, Eintracht Frankfurt, Athletic Bilbao, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are among several teams capable of challenging United for the title.
But this still looks like a presentable opportunity for Amorim to win a trophy in his first year in charge.
League Cup
Some of United’s most impressive performances this season came in this competition.
Man Utd booked their place in the League Cup quarter-finals with a superb 5-2 home win against Leicester City on Van Nisterlooy’s touchline debut.
They trounced lower-league Barnsley 7-0 in the opening round.
Remarkably, the Red Devils netted as many goals in these two cup ties as they managed across their first 11 Premier League games.
United covered themselves in League Cup glory in Ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford two years ago, so they know in-depth what it takes to triumph in this tournament.
FA Cup
Man Utd will defend the FA Cup this season.
Last season’s triumph was the Red Devils’ 13th in this competition, with only Arsenal (14) boasting more.
Amorim could draw United level with the Gunners this term, and many will fancy them to go all the way despite the strength of the competition.
Much will likely depend on the developments on other fronts, especially the Europa League campaign, where Amorim has a real opportunity to secure silverware in his first season.
