Manchester United will see some of their first-team players return next week as pre-season gets underway. Nine stars have continued their World Cup campaigns with their national sides and will be absent for the opening stages of Michael Carrick's preparations.
Pre-Season Schedule and Tour Details
For those not across in the United States, pre-season commences on Thursday, July 9. United are going on a European tour, representing a significant change during Carrick's reign. The club have been heading to the United States over recent years but the World Cup has disrupted these arrangements. Instead, United will visit Finland, Norway, Ireland, Sweden and Poland to face Wrexham, Rosenborg, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Leeds.
First up on the schedule is the Red Dragons in Helsinki with several fringe players expected to feature, given that first-team regulars remain involved in the World Cup.
Chido Obi's Shock Germany Move
Chido Obi has reportedly begun discussions to join FC Koln on loan this summer. It is claimed that the move has materialised as United feel the striker would gain from a temporary switch to boost his progression. Negotiations have got underway over an agreement that would see Obi join the Bundesliga club for the upcoming season. The 18-year-old featured eight times for the first-team during the 2024/25 campaign before being limited to youth football this term. He scored 20 goals and assisted six times across the U18 and U20 sides. Obi has caught the eye since arriving at United from Arsenal in 2024 and will be keen to gain valuable senior experience in Germany.
Carrick Could Land 'Eight-Figure' Payout
Former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson has claimed that United have reached an agreement to allow Amazon Prime to document their 2026/27 season in its entirety. The 'All or Nothing' series has previously been filmed at several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham and City. It is understood the documentary would likely hand United a substantial eight-figure sum, though it carries risks should the season fail to deliver. Speaking to Football Insider, Borson said: "It's probably worth £10million-£15m, and obviously, it's a pretty high-margin asset sale. There's not a lot of cost there. You're giving up, in terms of the cost, is the access, and it's allowing cameras in places where you haven't let them be before, recording stuff and losing editorial control. So look, if it's a good season, then it's great. If it's a very bad season, with managerial issues and individual player issues, you enjoy the money, but you know that you're going to take some impact from it on the other side. It's worked fine for City, and it worked fine for Arsenal. I'm sure it'll be fine, but there is some risk."
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