Manchester United chiefs have set a target for Ruben Amorim’s team in the Premier League next season and the Red Devils will need a huge improvement to reach it.
The last campaign was disastrous for the club, finishing 15th in the top flight and failing to win any silverware.
The Premier League campaign yielded just 11 wins from 38 matches, with Amorim’s side finishing on 42 points for the season.
Defeat to Spurs in the Europa League final confirmed that Manchester United will not be playing European football next season as Amorim plots a rebuild without the allure of the Champions League for potential signings.
Clearly a significant improvement is expected of Amorim and his players, with the Manchester Evening News reporting that senior figures at the club have set a target of a top six finish.
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That would see a return to European football, something that should be made easier by the lack of midweek action over the coming campaign.
It is no small task, though, with Aston Villa finishing sixth last season with 66 points, 24 more than United managed.
15th was comfortably the worst finishing position for Manchester United in the Premier League era, coming a year on from their previous worst finish of 8th.
There is plenty of work going on in the transfer market to try and turn things around, with Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon and Bryan Mbeumo all arriving so far this summer.
Cunha and Mbeumo will be part of a completely revamped forward line, with the Red Devils still in the market for a centre-forward to play with them in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.
Outgoings will need to be secured as well, though, with the Red Devils looking to balance the books as they bring in more players.
Marcus Rashford has made his loan move to Barcelona, but the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia remain out of contention but without exits secured.
Garnacho wound up Manchester United fans with his response to Rashford’s move to Barcelona on social media.
The Argentina international commented ‘Lets gooooo’ along with two emojis representing Rashford’s goal celebration.
The winger appears to have no future at Old Trafford and a move seems certain although his options are limited as he reportedly wants to remain in the Premier League.
Chelsea have been linked with a bid for Garnacho, with Aston Villa also considered a possible next destination for the Red Devils outcast.
Bridges were burned after the Europa League final when Garnacho hit out at Amorim for starting the defeat to Tottenham on the bench.
Speaking to Argentine media after the 1-0 loss, Garnacho made it clear that he was unhappy with Amorim’s selection decision.
Alejandro Garnacho Premier League stats
Apps: 93
Goals: 16
Assists: 8
‘It’s tough for everyone. This season was bad. Losing the final now and not beating anyone in the league,’ Garnacho said.
‘There were a lot of things missing – when you don’t score goals, you always need more at the end. I played every round until we reached the final, I helped the team, and to play twenty minutes today… I don’t know.’
When asked about his future, Garnacho replied: ‘The game has an impact, but the season itself, the club’s situation… I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens next.’
He has been left out of the travelling squad to America this week, along with Antony, Malacia and Sancho,
