Manchester United’s pre-season is taking shape under Michael Carrick, with a Snapdragon Cup win over Atletico Madrid, a senior debut for 15-year-old JJ Gabriel, and defender Leny Yoro publicly backing the club to challenge for the Premier League title. Here’s a full round-up of the latest from Old Trafford.
Yoro: “Of Course” United Can Win the League
Leny Yoro has thrown his support behind United’s title credentials heading into Carrick’s first full season in charge, pointing to the squad’s strong mentality and the improved form the club has shown since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January. Carrick guided United to a third-place finish and a return to Champions League football, winning 12 of his first 17 league games a run that included victories over Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Yoro said the squad’s mood and work ethic give him genuine belief the club can compete for the biggest prizes this season, adding that the target is nothing less than winning every game and pushing for silverware.
Mbeumo Brace Seals Snapdragon Cup Win Over Atletico
Bryan Mbeumo scored twice as United came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in Stockholm, claiming the Snapdragon Cup in the process. Sky Sports’ Adam Bate noted the overall performance may have been even more encouraging than the scoreline, with academy products Shea Lacey and Andrey Santos both catching the eye, Leny Yoro impressing at right-back in nullifying Ademola Lookman, and Mason Mount delivering the standout individual display of the match in a deeper midfield role.
The game also produced a landmark moment, with 15-year-old JJ Gabriel becoming the youngest player to ever feature for United’s men’s first team after coming on in the 82nd minute. Bate praised the teenager’s composure on the ball against senior opposition, suggesting a long career lies ahead of him.
Speaking to MUTV afterward, Carrick said he was pleased with the overall signs of progress from his squad, highlighting strong performances from both senior and younger players, and pointed to the group’s team spirit and camaraderie as central to building on the momentum from the second half of last season.
Transfer Latest: Hall Interest, Wheatley Talks and Squad Business
Manchester United continue to explore a potential move for Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall as they look for a long-term successor to Luke Shaw, who has just one year left on his current deal. Hall, who has three years remaining on his own contract, is not seen as a cheap option, with Newcastle reluctant to sell though reports suggest Eddie Howe’s departure from St James’ Park may have strengthened United’s hand, given Hall was said to want to leave the club even before news of the manager’s exit broke.
Elsewhere, Everton have registered interest in United striker Ethan Wheatley, exploring the terms of a potential deal for the 20-year-old, who is viewed as a long-term project more likely to feature for United’s Under-21s side than the first team if a transfer doesn’t happen. Defender Tyler Fredricson has already left Old Trafford permanently to join Swiss side Lausanne-Sport, having made four senior appearances since his 2025 debut, while several other academy players including Radek Vitek, Harry Amass, Dan Gore and Toby Collyer are reportedly unlikely to feature for the first team next season despite some promising pre-season performances.
Rashford Confirms Barcelona Exit, Prepares for Old Trafford Return
Marcus Rashford has confirmed his return to Manchester United after Barcelona chose not to activate a £26 million option to sign him permanently following a productive season-long loan, during which he scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 49 appearances, including a goal in a decisive El Clasico win that helped seal the LaLiga title. Rashford thanked the club and its supporters for a memorable season on social media, wishing Barcelona well for the campaign ahead.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick spoke warmly of Rashford following their pre-season draw with Birmingham, describing him as a excellent player and person he genuinely enjoyed working with, while acknowledging the club would miss his contribution moving forward even as Barcelona instead prioritised the signing of England international Anthony Gordon from Newcastle.
New Faces Settle In as Pre-Season Squad Takes Shape
New arrival Youri Tielemans has joined his United team-mates for training at Carrington following his £35 million move from Aston Villa, alongside goalkeeper Senne Lammens, both of whom returned after their respective World Cup campaigns with Belgium. Amad Diallo and Altay Bayindir also rejoined the group following their own World Cup involvement with Ivory Coast and Turkey respectively, with Amad in line to feature in pre-season for the first time after scoring a dramatic late winner for Ivory Coast during the tournament.
Rio Ferdinand has publicly urged Danny Welbeck to turn down interest from Chelsea and return to Old Trafford instead, pointing to the striker’s academy roots and productive first spell at the club, where he scored 29 times in 142 appearances before his 2014 move to Arsenal. Talks between Welbeck and Chelsea are understood to be well advanced, however.
In lower-league news, former United and Real Madrid forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez has become the first signing for USL Championship side Atletico Dallas, with the Mexican set to begin playing for the expansion club once their inaugural season begins in 2027.
Quick Facts: Man Utd’s Pre-Season
- Latest result: Man Utd 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Snapdragon Cup)
- Carrick’s record since January: 12 wins from 17 league games
- New arrivals training: Youri Tielemans (£35m), Senne Lammens
- Returning: Marcus Rashford (loan at Barcelona ended)
- Transfer targets: Lewis Hall (Newcastle, left-back)
- Out: Tyler Fredricson (Lausanne-Sport, permanent)
