Top five the aim for Man Utd - Amad

It is fair to assume a theme will be repeated by Manchester United and their players when they speak to the media during their pre-season campaign.

It started in Stockholm on Saturday and will continue next week when head coach Ruben Amorim and his players land in Chicago to start preparations for the three-match Premier League Summer Series : United will improve on last season's disastrous performance.

Firstly, improvement from finishing 15th, their worst domestic showing since the 1973-74 relegation campaign is not too difficult.

Secondly, saying it is one thing, but we will only know whether it is reality once the real action begins, starting with the Premier League opener against Arsenal on 17 August.

But at least Amad Diallo set a target. He believes United should be aiming to finish at least fifth.

"A good season will be top five," he said. "I hope we can achieve that top five at the end of the season."

If last season is repeated, fifth would be good enough to qualify for the Champions League via one of Uefa's European Performance Spots.

Clearly there is a lot of work to do before then.

For Amad in particular, it will be about combining a role as a right wing-back and a more orthodox forward in one of the two number-10 roles.

Given Diogo Dalot has been given the number two shirt, he would appear to be the first choice wing-back, while Bryan Mbeumo – when he arrives – and Matheus Cunha are surely going to be the first choice 10s.

It gives Amad work to do, even though apart from Bruno Fernandes, he was by far United's most dangerous offensive player last season.

Against Leeds in Stockholm on Saturday, Amad started as a wing-back, switched with Toby Collyer briefly and moved into the right sided number 10 slot, then moved back.

He created the chance that earned young forward Chido Obi a ticking off from Cunha after taking an opportunity the Brazil striker thought should have been left to him.

"I have to adapt to every situation," he said. "No matter where I play, if the manager wants me to play as a right wing-back or a number 10, I'm here to help the team.

"I have no problems with one position, I have no preference. I can play anywhere where the manager wants me."

With Marcus Rashford almost certainly going to Barcelona and good friend Alejandro Garnacho also in dispute with Amorim, it is going to be a different kind of season for Amad.

Not that he wants to fan the flames of controversy.

"This is not really my problem," he said of the Garnacho situation.

As for Rashford: "Well, the only thing I can say is good luck to him, but I'm more focused on United and my team."