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Manchester United won the Summer Series League at Soldier Field, Chicago. |
History shows that friendly cup winners often do not have good results when entering the main season. Is this a bad omen for the "Red Devils"?
Ominous
Manchester United, under manager Ruben Amorim, have enjoyed an impressive summer in the US, going unbeaten. They have won two straight games, including a 2-1 win over West Ham United and a 4-1 win over Bournemouth, followed by a 2-2 draw with Everton.
Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha have all made their mark, helping United fans to be optimistic ahead of the new season. However, this achievement in the friendly cup raises concerns, as history shows that friendly cup winners often fail to maintain their form when the main season begins.
According to statistics from The Guardian , in the past 10 years, only 2 out of 10 teams that have won major overseas friendly cups have maintained good form into the main season. For example, Manchester City won the 2018 International Champions Cup but only finished 3rd in the Premier League in the 2018/19 season.
Similarly, Liverpool won the 2017 Audi Cup but finished the 2017/18 Premier League season in fourth place. This has many Man United fans worried that winning the 2025 Summer Series League could be a bad omen.
The main reason is the difference between the friendly cup and the regular season. The friendly cup usually has less pressure, and teams often experiment with their lineups. This is easily seen when MU faces West Ham United or Bournemouth, teams that often give them trouble in the regular season. The intensity and nature of the friendly matches are also not high.
Meanwhile, the regular season requires stability and high performance, something Man United lacked in the 2024/25 season, when they finished in 15th place. Coach Ruben Amorim in a post-match interview also had to admit: "We had a good summer, but the regular season is a different story."
MU need to stand on the ground
In addition, Manchester United's history also shows that results in friendly cups do not always reflect true form. In the summer of 2022, Man United won the International Champions Cup but only ranked 6th in the Premier League in the 2022/23 season.
This raises concerns that the 2025 Summer Series League could be a bad sign. Furthermore, Manchester United have not faced any real strong opponents in the recent friendly cup in the US. Success in this tournament can be a double-edged sword, as it can easily create illusions before the club enters the main season.
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Bruno Fernandes is still a mainstay of MU before the new season. |
However, the Summer Series League title was also a positive. It helped Manchester build confidence and allowed Amorim to experiment with new tactics. Young players such as Ethan Williams and Kobbie Mainoo were given a chance to shine, while new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha also impressed.
Rasmus Hojlund or Patrick Dorgu regain their confidence, and this could be the foundation for the 2025/26 season. While winning the 2025 Summer Series League may be a bad omen in terms of historical statistics, it is not the deciding factor.
Manchester United need to focus on maintaining form and consistency when the regular season begins on August 16, 2025. For Amorim, this is an opportunity to rebuild, and only time will tell whether Manchester United can overcome the “curse” of friendly cups.
Red Devils fans will hope their beloved club learns from history and avoids repeating the mistakes of the past. With investment in new players and tactics, Manchester United could see the light at the end of the tunnel, but they will have to prove it on the pitch when the season kicks off in two weeks.
Source: https://znews.vn/vo-dich-giai-giao-huu-la-diem-xau-voi-mu-post1574056.html
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