Manchester United are already working hard in pre-season but the intensity will soon kick up a level as Ruben Amorim leads his side against Leeds United this weekend
Pre-season is underway in Manchester and Ruben Amorim is preparing his side for the Premier League's return in little over a month. Five fixtures await the Red Devils with the club's stars set to be ran ragged in training so that United can get off to a quick start.
Amorim could only guide his side to 15th in the table last season, and will be pleased to have some extensive time to work with his players and to implement his tactics without interruption. United are already a week into their work and new signing Matheus Cunha has participated in his first session at at Carrington.
Work and testing has been conducted in the gym and the training pitch has seen its first action before the club's summer tour begins. Leeds United await in Stockholm before Amorim's squad takes off to the United States to take on West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton.
With just days before the clash against newly-promoted Leeds, already the intensity of the summer is picking up. Players who had international duty last month have also returned to action and now all eyes are on getting ready for the opening weekend clash with Arsenal.
So with the countdown on, what must Amorim and United do before the cut and thrust of friendly action gets underway? Mirror Football takes a look.
Sign Mbeumo
Not exactly part of Amorim's remit, but the Portuguese coach wanted the club's hierarchy to have his squad in place in time for the pre-season tour. The 40-year-old sees the period as an important opportunity for players to integrate into the group and to take on board his methods.
Bryan Mbeumo's arrival would see another goalscoring threat added to United's forward line. Brentford are still awaiting a third bid from United and the Red Devils can make no mistake if they do not want to have a detrimenal impact on Amorim's plans.
Make goalkeeper decision
The possibility of signing a new goalkeeper has long been anticipated at Old Trafford but with the injury of Andre Onana has taken on greater significance. Back-up option Altay Bayindir's future must be decided, and Amorim must choose who he trusts to start in goal with Onana potentially missing the start of the season.
United are said to be ready to bid for Botafogo's John Victor, and the club may need to move quickly if there is a chance he starts against Arsenal. Pre-season offers ample opportunity for a shotstopper to get comfortable behind the club's backline.
Pick his squad for the US
It is not the only decision that Amorim will quickly need to decide. The head coach will need to pick the group of players who will make up his touring squad.
Already Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Jadon Sancho are not part of Amorim's plans moving forwards. Sales must be facilitated to avoid issues later down down the line.
But with transfers not forthcoming, Amorim will need to ensure he has the bodies to undertake his training plans in the US, while not taking a group so large that it could be disturbed by new signings. Pre-season is about building momentum after all, rather than putting people's noses out of joint.
It could also provide an opportunity for some of the club's young talent to leave an impression. That could include defender Godwill Kukonki, who is set to sign his first professional deal, and Leeds could provide a testing ground to make such decisions.
Boost confidence
Amorim will also be tasked with boosting the confidence of his stars, to instill the belief required to go on and have a better season. That will be true for nobody more than Rasmus Hojlund.
The Denmark international is often at the brunt of criticism for United's goalscoring failures and has needed to endure constant links away from the club as well as speculation of transfers for new forwards. As it stands, the young star remains United's most senior out-and-out forward and Amorim must attempt to unleash his talents, with the addition of Cunha perhaps taking some of the burden from the striker's shoulders.