The 2015–16 season was Manchester United's 24th season in the Premier League, and their 41st consecutive season in the top flight of English football. Along with the Premier League, the club also competed in the FA Cup, Football League Cup and UEFA Champions League. Following a third-place finish in their UEFA Champions League group, the club was entered into the last 32 stage of the UEFA Europa League, in which they beat Midtjylland of Denmark, before losing to rivals Liverpool in the round of 16.

United won their 12th FA Cup with a 2–1 win over Crystal Palace in the final at Wembley Stadium.

Manchester United announced a shortened pre-season tour of the United States on 28 April 2015. The first match against Mexican side Club América was played on 17 July at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, and was followed, four days later, by a game against Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes at the Earthquakes' home ground, Avaya Stadium in San Jose. It was originally scheduled to be played at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, but it was moved to reduce the amount of travelling the team would have to do. Four days later, Manchester United faced European champions Barcelona at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, before completing the campaign at Chicago's Soldier Field with a game against Paris Saint-Germain.