Manchester United may be a club with a glittering history and worldwide following, but the current landscape at Old Trafford is anything but straightforward. As the 2025-26 season unfolds, the Red Devils find themselves at a crossroads—both on the pitch and behind the scenes. With inconsistent results, a revitalized fan culture, and seismic changes looming in ownership and infrastructure, there’s no shortage of intrigue swirling around M16.
Let’s start with the football. Under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, United’s campaign has been a mixed bag so far. The team heads into the second international break of the season having endured three Premier League defeats and a humiliating EFL Cup exit at the hands of League Two’s Grimsby Town back in August. That loss still stings for many supporters, a stark reminder of just how far the mighty can fall. Yet, there have been glimmers of hope. Last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland injected a much-needed dose of positivity, with summer signing Benjamin Sesko continuing his hot streak by scoring in back-to-back games. The club’s tactical identity under Amorim is gradually taking shape, with United at times looking slicker and more cohesive than last season.
Perhaps the most eye-catching development on the pitch has been the emergence of Senne Lammens. The 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper, recruited from Antwerp for £18.2 million on Deadline Day, made his debut against Sunderland and delivered United’s first clean sheet of the campaign. Calm under pressure and assured with the ball at his feet, Lammens impressed not just the fans but, crucially, his teammates. This is no small feat—reports have surfaced that some in the dressing room initially lobbied for the signing of Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez instead. According to GiveMeSport, sections of the squad “strongly pushed” for Martinez, who was heavily linked with United after what appeared to be an emotional Villa farewell last season. Even some of Amorim’s backroom staff were said to admire the Argentine. But United’s hierarchy went with Lammens, and his debut suggests he’s eager to prove any doubters wrong.
As the players prepare for a daunting trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, confidence is tentatively building. The champions have shown signs of vulnerability lately, and United’s faithful will be hoping their team can seize the moment. Yet, with the rollercoaster results so far, predicting what comes next is anyone’s guess. The action resumes soon, and all eyes will be on whether Amorim’s men can find the consistency that’s eluded them.
While the footballing drama unfolds, seismic shifts are taking place off the pitch. The long-running Manchester United ownership saga refuses to die down. Finnish billionaire Thomas Zilliacus, a lifelong United supporter, has confirmed renewed interest in acquiring a share—or even full control—of the club. Zilliacus, who previously led a fan-backed bid during the 2023 sale process, told MEN Sport, “Last week, I was sitting and thinking through all the possibilities of investing in Manchester United and drafting a basic plan on how I could approach certain parties to see if something could be done… This is about joining forces with the right parties with the sole aim of bringing Manchester United back to where it should be as the number one club in the world.”
Zilliacus’s vision is clear: a fan-focused ownership model, in stark contrast to the Glazer family’s tenure. He’s even open to collaboration with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, stating, “I actually have nothing against working with people like Jim Ratcliffe or any investor, whoever that may be. Because I’m not in this to have a trophy that I can show off to other people.” Zilliacus’s comments reflect a growing desire among supporters for a more inclusive and transparent approach to club governance. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group currently holds a 27.7% minority stake, having invested £1.25 billion in 2023 and assumed control of football operations. The ownership question remains unresolved, but Zilliacus’s reemergence adds a fresh twist to the ongoing saga.
Ownership isn’t the only major issue facing United’s hierarchy. The club is actively considering a move to a brand-new 100,000-seat stadium adjacent to Old Trafford. In 2024, more than 50,000 season ticket holders and members were surveyed: 52% favored a new build, while 31% wanted to refurbish the current stadium. The rest were undecided. If the new stadium goes ahead, it would boost capacity by 26,000 from the current 74,000, making it the largest club ground in England. The proposal includes 9,000 premium seats, but the club insists that fan culture and accessibility remain top priorities.
The Stretford End, Old Trafford’s traditional vocal heartland, has enjoyed a renaissance since the removal of executive seating in 2024. The Red Army (TRA) has led a revival of atmosphere, with hundreds of original flags and a vibrant matchday buzz. Adult season ticket holders pay £32 per game for a spot in the lower Stretford End, offering good value compared to away fans at lower-tier clubs. For younger fans, prices are even more accessible—a nod to the importance of nurturing the next generation of supporters.
But as United explores ways to fund the new stadium—potentially through seat licenses and higher ticket prices—there’s a real fear among fans that the club could repeat past mistakes. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, speaking to the United We Stand fanzine, emphasized the need for balance: “We need to make sure that people who are genuine supporters can afford to go. Maybe their circumstances don’t allow them to spend a fortune on tickets. I 100 per cent get that. But we have to balance that and optimise our ticket income because it feeds back into: ‘How do we win the Champions League or Premier League?’”
Manchester remains a proud working-class city, and the club’s hardcore support is woven into its fabric. There’s widespread caution against pricing out local and younger fans through American-style seat licenses or dynamic pricing. “Don’t push working-class fans—and Manchester remains a working-class city—to buy seat licences for what should be the cheaper parts of the stadium,” warns one fan columnist. The lesson from the Stretford End’s history is clear: when the club listens to its supporters, the results are magical. When it doesn’t, the consequences are felt for years.
Meanwhile, demand for match tickets continues to outstrip supply, with away allocations and cup final tickets at a premium. The club’s expansion plans are seen as an opportunity to address this, but only if accessibility and affordability are protected. The risk of alienating core supporters is ever-present, and fans are adamant that Old Trafford—or its successor—must remain a true football stadium, not just a commercial enterprise.
As the Red Devils prepare for another chapter—on the pitch, in the boardroom, and in the stands—one thing is certain: the passion of Manchester United’s fans remains undimmed. Whether it’s the roar from the Stretford End, the debate over ownership, or the dream of a new home, the spirit that makes United unique is alive and kicking. The coming weeks and months promise more twists and turns, both on and off the field, as the club strives to reclaim its place at the summit of English and European football.
