Manchester United are set to begin their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with questions surrounding squad depth and the reintegration of key players. The season marks a new chapter under manager Michael Carrick, who took over in January and secured a two-year deal after guiding the team to a third-place finish.
Carrick’s initial tenure saw the team achieve Champions League qualification with three games remaining, having inherited a squad placed seventh in the table. During his time in charge, United won 12 of 17 games. This performance led to a significant improvement in points per game compared to the previous manager, Ruben Amorim.
Squad Depth Concerns for the New Season
Despite a strong finish to the previous season, concerns persist regarding the squad’s depth, particularly with the added demands of Champions League football. Last summer, United invested over £200 million in four players. However, this summer’s expenditure has been more modest, with new additions like Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans joining the squad.
The midfield faces challenges, as Manuel Ugarte is expected to miss most of the season due to injury. This leaves the team in a similar position to last season regarding midfield depth, where there was a consensus that additional players were needed. There is still a perceived need for an athletic, defensive midfielder who can also contribute effectively with the ball.
Another area identified for potential strengthening is left-back. While Luke Shaw had a strong 2025-26 season, playing in all 38 Premier League games, it was his first time featuring in more than 32 top-flight matches in a single campaign for United. The increased fixture load from European and domestic cup competitions raises questions about managing his workload. United played 40 games across all competitions last term, their fewest in 111 years, but are guaranteed a minimum of 48 games this season.
Other options at left-back, such as Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui, have not consistently performed effectively in that role. Patrick Dorgu is seen more as a winger by the coaching staff, and Harry Amass is expected to go out on loan again. With Shaw having only a year left on his contract, planning for the future in this position is considered prudent.
Marcus Rashford’s Return and Attacking Options
The return of Marcus Rashford to the squad is another significant development. After a loan spell at Barcelona, he made a second-half appearance in a friendly against AC Milan, marking his first United outing in 20 months. While his future at the club was uncertain, it now appears more likely he will remain.
Carrick has expressed enthusiasm for having Rashford available, and Harry Maguire believes he can be a valuable asset. Rashford offers a different attacking dimension and could be deployed centrally if needed, alongside players like Benjamin Sesko. His pace and dynamism could be beneficial, especially given United‘s performance in fast breaks last season, where they scored four goals from such attacks, a figure bettered by no other team in the Premier League from Carrick’s appointment until the end of the season.
The team’s attacking positions are generally well-stocked, with several players capable of playing multiple roles. Benjamin Sesko is seen as the primary number nine, having shown his ability to score under pressure. Other forwards like Bryan Mbeumo, who excelled under Carrick, and Joshua Zirkzee, along with Rashford and Matheus Cunha, provide various options. While the team possesses multiple goal-scorers, the challenge will be to have several players consistently hitting high goal tallies, as seen in recent title-winning teams.
Pre-season Predictions and Outlook
Ahead of the new season, some predictions suggest Manchester United could challenge for the title. One forecast indicates they will win the league, citing their performance under Carrick as evidence of being the best team in the league during that period. However, other predictions widely favour Arsenal for the title, with some analysts placing United outside the top four.
The 2026-27 Premier League season is scheduled to commence this weekend, with Manchester United‘s first match against Hull City on Saturday.
Source: theanalyst.com
