For all of Andre Onana’s errors last season – having made three of them leading to a goal in the Premier League – it was arguably at the other end of the pitch where Manchester United’s problems lay in 2024/25.
Indeed, the Red Devils ended the campaign having just scored 44 top-flight goals, with rivals – and champions – Liverpool having reached almost double that tally (86) on their way to title glory.
Such woes were notably epitomised in Erik ten Hag’s final game, with the Old Trafford side slipping to a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United on the road, as Diogo Dalot inexplicably missed an open goal for the profligate visitors.
Things didn’t exactly improve even amid Ruben Amorim’s arrival, with United looking particularly limp in the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, having failed to convert any of their three ‘big chances’.
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With pre-season now underway and the new campaign looming, the question remains just where the goals will come from for Amorim’s side in 2025/26 – well, AI tool ChatGPT has the answers…
Defenders
Desperate times called for desperate measures in 2024/25, with Amorim repeatedly resorting to deploying Harry Maguire as a makeshift striker, having notably stated after the win over Lyon that the 32-year-old centre-back is “the only guy that can score a goal with his head”.
Of course, the Englishman had come up trumps at the death against the Ligue 1 side, having also produced further heroics throughout the campaign, namely away to Porto in the Europa League and at home to Leicester City in the FA Cup.
With the forwards toiling, up stepped Maguire and his defensive colleagues to deliver the goods when needed, with the injury-hit Lisandro Martinez scoring a vital winner away at Fulham, having also scored a stunning opener in the 2-2 draw at Anfield back in January. Leny Yoro, meanwhile got off the mark away to Lyon in the quarter-final first-leg.
With Matthijs de Ligt also an aerial threat at 6 foot 4, the Red Devils do at least have a set-piece presence to fall back on, although more will be needed from those on the flanks, with Patrick Dorgu still yet to open his account for the club.
The suggestion from ChatGPT is that the young Dane will chip in next term, alongside both Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw, albeit with no player from the defensive unit expected to exceed four goals in all competitions in 2025/26.
Predicted goals:
Centre-backs – Matthijs de Ligt (3-4 goals), Harry Maguire (2-3), Lisandro Martinez (2-3), Leny Yoro (1-2), Ayden Heaven (0-2)
Full-backs – Diogo Dalot (2-3), Luke Shaw (1-2), Patrick Dorgu (1-2), Noussair Mazraoui (1-2)
Midfielders
The man who led the way for both goals and assists last season, Bruno Fernandes will likely have another vital role to play next season, having shunned Saudi interest to stay put in Manchester.
Bruno Fernandes
39
19
20
Alejandro Garnacho
21
11
10
Amad Diallo
20
11
9
Rasmus Hojlund
14
10
5
Joshua Zirkzee
10
7
3
Marcus Rashford
10
7
3
Christian Eriksen
10
5
5
Casemiro
8
5
3
Diogo Dalot
8
3
5
Manuel Ugarte
8
2
6
With attacking additions – outside of Matheus Cunha – likely to be prioritised in the coming weeks, the Portuguese playmaker may find himself operating in a deep-lying role in 2025/26, ensuring his goal return could be limited somewhat.
2023 arrival, Mason Mount, will be expected to pick up the slack, with ChatGPT suggesting that he could chip in with seven to nine goals, having scored three goals at the tail-end of another injury-impacted 2024/25 campaign.
That included a stunning brace at home to Athletic Club to secure United’s progression to the Europa League semi-final, with the club’s number seven needing to build on such a display ahead of a potentially pivotal third season at Old Trafford.
Elsewhere in the midfield ranks, ChatGPT believes that Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro could all contribute a handful of goals apiece, most likely “via set-pieces or late runs”.
Predicted goals:
Midfielders – Bruno Fernandes (10-12 goals), Mason Mount (7-9), Kobbie Mainoo (2-4), Manuel Ugarte (2-4), Casemiro (2-4)
Forwards
There is set to be much upheaval in this department, with the aforementioned Cunha already joining on a £62.5m deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers, while numerous outgoings are likely to occur in the form of Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho and Antony.
22-year-old Dane, Rasmus Hojlund, appears in line to follow that quartet, albeit with journalist Fabrizio Romano outlining his desire to stay put for a third season in English football. According to ChatGPT, that scenario could see the £64m signing improve upon his ten-goal return from last season and actually finish as the club’s top scorer, as he did back in 2023/24.
As for Cunha, the Brazilian – who scored 15 league goals in 2024/25 – will hopefully pick up where he left off last time out, with United’s new number ten thus far the only major arrival to Amorim’s first-team ranks.
With further additions not factored in, the onus may be on Joshua Zirkzee and Amad to step up to the mark, with the pair both tipped to at least reach double figures for next season.
As for teenage sensation Chido Obi, ChatGPT believes that he will be afforded 10-15 competitive outings next season, ensuring his goal return will be minimal.
Predicted goals:
Forwards – Rasmus Hojlund (15-18 goals), Matheus Cunha (12-15), Joshua Zirkzee (10-12), Amad Diallo (10-12), Chido Obi (1-2)
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