Manchester United will be hoping the new season will mark the beginning of a fresh chapter after the troubles of the previous campaign.
Last season, the Red Devils finishing a scarcely believable 15th in the Premier League – their lowest position since they were relegated in 1973/74. There was no joy elsewhere either as they lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.
Manager Ruben Amorim will have his task cut out when they start the new season against Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17.
Speaking to The National during the pre-season tour of the US, Amorim said he has brought in some critical changes and appointed a leadership group within the squad.
“I cannot do everything by myself. But I think we improved in every department,” Amorim said.
“We have rules, and the rules are not to treat the players as babies. They have sons. I treat them as men, but they have rules now. And that can change the way you train. If you don’t train in the right way, I have footage to show you. And I show you in front of everybody. So I’m always on top.”
There were other changes as well. As expected after a terrible campaign, a number of names moved in and out of Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford is now at Barcelona, while the likes of Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and a few others have been kept away from the group as they seek opportunities elsewhere.
There are more transfers in the pipeline. Some for sporting reasons, some financial.
Which brings us to the salaries that will be paid to players this season. Below is the salary list of Manchester United players for the 2025/26 season. Data complied through reports, spotrac.com and capology.com.
Highest-paid players at Manchester United for 2025/26
1. Casemiro – £350,000 per week
2. Bruno Fernandes – £300,000 per week
3. Mason Mount – £250,000 per week
4. Matthijs de Ligt – £195,000 per week
5. Harry Maguire – £190,000 per week
6. Matheus Cunha – £180,000 per week
7. Benjamin Sesko - £160,000 per week
=8. Luke Shaw – £150,000 per week
=8. Bryan Mbuemo – £150,000 per week
10. Noussair Mazraoui – £135,000 per week
=11. Amad Diallo – £120,000 per week
=11. Andre Onana – £120,000 per week
=11. Lisandro Martinez – £120,000 per week
=11. Manuel Ugarte – £120,000 per week
15. Leny Yoro – £115,000 per week
16. Joshua Zirkzee – £105,000 per week
=17. Diogo Dalot – £85,000 per week
=17. Rasmus Hojlund – £85,000 per week
19. Tom Heaton – £45,000 per week
20. Patrick Dorgu – £40,000 per week
21. Altay Bayindir – £35,000 per week
22. Kobbie Mainoo – £25,000 per week
23. Chido Obi – £15,000 per week
24. Ethan Wheatley – £10,000 per week
=25. Ayden Heaven – £5,000 per week
=25. Tyler Fredricson – £5,000 per week
=25. Harry Amass – £5,000 per week
Note: Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony likely on their way out
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
Day 2, stumps
Pakistan 482
Australia 30/0 (13 ov)
Australia trail by 452 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
The biog
Age: 32
Qualifications: Diploma in engineering from TSI Technical Institute, bachelor’s degree in accounting from Dubai’s Al Ghurair University, master’s degree in human resources from Abu Dhabi University, currently third years PHD in strategy of human resources.
Favourite mountain range: The Himalayas
Favourite experience: Two months trekking in Alaska
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
