Manchester United have had an eventful 2024 as a campaign that was blighted by injuries to key players saw their protracted takeover come to completion and ended gloriously in FA Cup triumph at Wembley Stadium. 

Erik ten Hag managed their inconsistent form caused by the crippling injury crisis before delivering an eighth-place finish in the Premier League, but their FA Cup victory means they will play Europa League football next season. 

Although the Dutchman had to walk on eggshells throughout the season as the pressure mounted, an end-of-season review by the INEOS-led board has entrusted Ten Hag with continuing in his role.

Fans are curious to see how next season will play out, with Manchester United tickets now set to sell properly ahead of the 2024/25 season.

The review of all levels at the club and massive overhaul of non-playing staff led to Man United’s summer transfer business going off to a slow start. But things are surely taking shape as Rene Hake and Ruud van Nistelrooy have been appointed as assistant managers to replace Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy who left the club.

Thanks to the belated arrival of new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, player recruitment is also finally gaining momentum and an exciting time for the United faithful beckons as they look to strengthen their ranks. 

Incomings 

The Mancunians have made Joshua Zirkzee their first signing of the INEOS era following the striker’s Euro 2024 campaign with the Netherlands where he made his international debut against Turkey in the quarter-final. United paid €42.5million rather than his €40m release clause to secure favourable payment terms that allow them to pay in instalments over three years.

Simultaneously, they are working on signing three centre-backs with Zirkzee’s Dutch national teammate Matthijs de Ligt reportedly close to joining the club. Man United have also submitted a couple of offers for Jarrad Branthwaite which are yet to reach Everton’s £70m valuation, and they are not giving up on Leny Yoro despite his preference to join Real Madrid.

These moves are aimed at significantly bolstering their defensive ranks after Raphael Varane left the club following the expiration of his contract. The same can be said of the holding midfield position where Manuel Ugarte is thought to be nearing a move to United.

After having an exceptional Copa America campaign with Uruguay and despite an underwhelming first season at Paris Saint-Germain, the two Manchester clubs and Barcelona are all interested in his services.

The 23-year-old could be a smart replacement for Casemiro who has been heavily linked with a move away this summer. United are keen on getting the Brazilian’s £375,00-a-week salary off the wage bill with a move to a Saudi Pro League club very likely. 

Talks with Jonny Evans have yielded a new one-year deal as the veteran proved to be more than cover amidst last season’s struggles with injuries.

Similarly, Jadon Sancho will also feel like a new signing having returned to pre-season training at Carrington and resolved his rift with the manager following his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund.

The winger had been banished from first-team training since last September after publicly calling out his gaffer for not being picked for a game against Arsenal. This prompted a temporary return to Dortmund where he was part of the side that reached the UEFA Champions League final.

Indeed, several United fans will welcome the sight of Sancho if it means seeing less of Antony who has been underwhelming in a red shirt. However, this decision could negatively impact Amad Diallo’s progress after he was beginning to show flashes of why they invested close to £37m to sign him as an 18-year-old.

Sancho staying at Old Trafford will represent a big blow for Juventus who have previously expressed an interest in signing the 24-year-old but needed to sell players first to meet his £40m valuation. Dortmund have also missed out on resigning him permanently after that successful loan spell in the second half of last season.

Outgoings 

A current United star who is looking for a new club this summer is Mason Greenwood who spent last season on loan at Getafe. Marseille are close to signing the 22-year-old after reaching an agreement on a €27.6m + €4m deal with a sell-on clause amidst interest from Lazio, Atletico Madrid and Valencia.

Scott McTominay could be another big summer departure as he is a target for Fulham and Everton, only 12 months after United turned down a £30m bid from West Ham. Things could be different this summer as the Scotland international is said to be keen on a regular starting place, and interested clubs will need to present United with a substantial offer. 

Donny van de Beek has left the red of Manchester for Girona on a £450,000 with add-ons up to £16m as well as a sell-on clause.

Elsewhere, Fenerbahce are interested in buying Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka is attracting the likes of Galatasaray and West Ham which is why United are keen on defensive reinforcements. 

Real Valladolid are said to be considering a move for Facundo Pellistri after his loan spell at Granada in the second half of last season.

Given the exciting squad rebuild that is finally taking place at Man United, the growing confidence in the new ownership and the general feel-good factor going into a new season, there is a lot to look forward to at Old Trafford in 2024/25.

Pertinently, clarity over the manager’s future and the support shown to him in terms of players and staff will go a long way in putting everyone involved with the club on the same page. United are finally making decisions from a football-first perspective, and the team will certainly benefit from this approach. 

The targets will be clear from the onset, and those will include finishing within the top four places in the Premier League as well as winning a trophy. Certainly, none will be bigger than lifting their second Europa League trophy at San Mames Stadium in Spain on 21 May 2025.

Ten Hag has already shown an appetite for winning silverware with domestic cups in each of his two seasons in the dugout, now is the time for the whole club to get behind him and trust the structure being put in place.