Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has delivered the crucial team news ahead of the opening Premier League game of the 2026-27 season.

The Red Devils will travel to the MKM Stadium on Saturday to face Hull City, with Carrick already facing several important selection calls.

The United head coach provided updates on Matthijs de Ligt, Benjamin Sesko, Karl Darlow and Mason Mount ahead of the highly anticipated opener.

He said (via Manchester United): “Yeah, Karl’s trained this week. 

“He’s back training, so he’s in good shape. Matta’s obviously been out for a long period of time, but he’s training and it’s great to have him back.

“He won’t be involved, but he’s in good shape and moving in a good direction, so that’s a good bonus for us really, at this stage, to have him back.

“Ben’s back training, so that’s, again, another positive. Looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes as well. 

“And then [we’re] managing Mason a little bit, but he’s very close, so it’s touch and go for the weekend, really, if not, going into next week.”

De Ligt underwent back surgery in May and is now expected to miss the opening few games of the campaign.

His absence comes as little surprise, leaving Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven in pole position to form the centre-back pairing against Hull.

Mount started United’s first four pre-season games before suffering a knock against Paris Saint-Germain.

The midfielder was withdrawn in the first half and subsequently missed the friendlies against Leeds United and AC Milan.

Carrick could hand two summer recruits, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, their competitive debuts in the heart of midfield.

His comments suggest that Mount may not be fit for the opening league encounter.

However, the potential return of Benjamin Sesko is a major boost for United. 

The £66.3 million signing has recovered from his shin injury but still needs to rebuild his match fitness.

United could ease him back into action by introducing him from the bench during the second half.

Bryan Mbeumo looks poised to spearhead the attack, with Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu potentially providing support from the flanks.

Carrick will be desperate for his side to make a winning start and avoid putting themselves under unnecessary pressure at the very beginning of the new campaign.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has made a surprise prediction for the star he believes could claim the Player of the Season award in the upcoming campaign.

The former United captain surprisingly backed Bruno Fernandes.

He said (via The Overlap): “I will go with Bruno Fernandes.

“He is a brilliant player. I think if United are decent at the back, he can produce some magic.”

Fernandes was sensational throughout the 2025-26 campaign, rewriting the Premier League record books with the most assists ever recorded in a single season.

The Portuguese playmaker delivered an astonishing 21 assists while also finding the net nine times.

His outstanding campaign earned him the official Premier League Player of the Season award as well as a record fifth Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year prize.

Fernandes also collected the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year award and United’s Players’ Player of the Year honour.

While Fernandes is an obvious contender, endorsement from Keane is particularly intriguing given the criticism he has directed at the United captain in the past.

The 55-year-old previously claimed Fernandes chose to pass when he should have taken the responsibility himself during United’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.

However, that criticism was completely misplaced, as Fernandes had actually said the exact opposite in his post-match interview.

The United captain directly challenged Keane, effectively accusing the club legend of misrepresenting what he had said.

The disagreement eventually cooled down after Keane revealed that the pair had spoken privately and put the issue to bed.

United supporters will hope Keane’s latest prediction proves true and Fernandes produces another spectacular campaign.

If the captain can replicate his extraordinary creative numbers while adding more goals, he could once again find himself at the heart of the Player of the Season race.

However, the responsibility cannot rest solely on Fernandes. Other United stars need to step up and deliver in their respective roles if the club are to challenge for major honours.

Stats from Fotmob.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo looks set to spearhead the attack when the Red Devils open their Premier League campaign against Hull City on Saturday.

Benjamin Sesko is the first-choice striker but there are major concerns over his involvement as he missed all six pre-season games.

Sesko aggravated a shin injury against Liverpool in May and has not featured since, leaving head coach Michael Carrick with a major selection dilemma.

Carrick could turn to Mbeumo to lead the attack until the Slovenian international makes a full recovery.

Mbeumo moved to Old Trafford from Brentford for an initial fee of £65 million last summer.

He was the standout player for United in the first half of the 2025-26 campaign, even outshining captain Bruno Fernandes.

By the start of February 2026, Mbeumo had already netted nine times.

His tally included crucial strikes against Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, against whom he found the net twice.

With United finally gathering momentum under Carrick, a 15-goal campaign suddenly looked like the bare minimum for the Cameroon international.

Unfortunately, Mbeumo went on a barren run and failed to find the net in 11 consecutive games.

He finally rediscovered his scoring touch in the final two league games, scoring twice to finish the campaign as United’s joint-top scorer alongside Sesko.

United are set to face a far more demanding schedule this season after securing a return to the Champions League.

We believe Mbeumo has the ability to score 25 goals across all competitions this season.

The 27-year-old has already shown he can deliver big numbers, scoring 20 goals for Brentford in the 2024-25 campaign. 

With European nights added to the calendar, the Cameroon international will have more opportunities than ever to break through the 25-goal barrier for the first time in his career.

Stats from Fotmob.com

(Also Read: Manchester United 2026-27 season preview: Biggest problem, breakout stars, POTS prediction & more)

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United head into the 2026-27 season carrying a fascinating mix of anticipation, optimism and lingering fear.

The 2025-26 campaign was a season of two halves.

Former head coach Ruben Amorim failed to extract the best out of his players despite receiving significant backing from INEOS last summer.

His reign eventually ended after a fiery press conference, paving the way for United to hand the managerial reins to Michael Carrick.

Carrick was initially viewed as a short-term solution, but his team quickly found another gear, playing scintillating football and securing Champions League qualification by finishing third in the Premier League.

The 44-year-old has now been handed the permanent job. The safety net of being an interim manager is gone and results will ultimately define his tenure.

Transfers in

Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Karl Darlow, Tynan Thompson

United splashed £85m to bring Santos and Tielemans to Old Trafford from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively.

Bolstering the midfield was a clear priority before heading into the summer window.

A devastating injury to Manuel Ugarte has only intensified the need for another midfielder.

United could finally land Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba after submitting a £65m offer yesterday.

Darlow represents a smart addition to the goalkeeping department, arriving on a free transfer.

The Red Devils recruited Thompson from the Tottenham Hotspur academy in a deal that could be worth £8m.

INEOS will hope the youngster can follow the same path as Ayden Heaven, who made the jump from another Premier League academy and quickly caught the eye at Old Trafford.

Transfers out

Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Tyler Fredricson

United decided against extending the contracts of Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia at the end of the previous campaign.

Hojlund completed a permanent move to Napoli after the Serie A club exercised the buy option included in his original loan agreement.

Onana and Bayindir will spend the new season on loan at Trabzonspor and Real Betis respectively.

Young centre-back Tyler Fredricson has also left permanently, joining INEOS-owned Lausanne-Sport.

Biggest worry: Squad depth

The biggest concern heading into the new campaign is whether Carrick has enough quality to survive the relentless schedule.

The Red Devils are set to play significantly more matches than last season following their return to the Champions League.

Carrick knows his squad lacks the depth and quality required to compete seriously across four competitions.

An injury to Luke Shaw could leave the manager scrambling to deploy Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui in an unfamiliar left-back role.

Benjamin Sesko is the only reliable natural striker in the squad, particularly with Joshua Zirkzee still struggling to deliver consistent end product.

Sesko’s absence during pre-season forced Carrick to deploy Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in the number nine position.

Managing player workloads, rotation and competition priorities could prove just as important as the tactical decisions that Carrick makes this season.

Player of the season

Bryan Mbeumo

Bruno Fernandes already has five Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards, more than any other player in Manchester United history.

It is time for a new face to step up.

We believe Mbeumo has the tools to explode into life and potentially deliver 20-25 goals across the campaign.

Carrick has regularly deployed him as a centre-forward, a role that could give the Cameroon international even more opportunities to attack the penalty box.

This could be the season when Mbeumo finally announces himself on the biggest stage.

Breakout star of the season

Ayden Heaven

At just 19, Ayden Heaven has already earned the trust of the United faithful by stepping up whenever injuries have created a crisis in defence.

He started all six friendly games this summer, showing the enormous faith Carrick has placed in him.

United legend Wayne Rooney has also tipped the young centre-back to enjoy a “fantastic” season, adding further weight to the growing hype around him.

Lisandro Martinez has been injury-prone over the last three seasons.

The challenge for Heaven will be to develop so rapidly that Martinez’s absence becomes far less damaging to Carrick.

Academy star to watch out

JJ Gabriel

We made JJ Gabriel our academy star to watch last season, and the teenager did everything possible to justify that prediction.

The 15-year-old won the Premier League Under-18 Player of the Year award after producing a remarkable 23 goals and three assists from just 23 league appearances.

He will be eligible to make his Premier League bow this campaign.

Even though he still needs to develop physically, Gabriel is expected to play regularly at the U21 level and could also make his first-team debut this season.

Strongest XI

Senne Lammens; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw; Andrey Santos, Kobbie Mainoo; Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko 

Prediction for 2026-27

United waited 24 months to return to the Champions League, and the next challenge is making their place among Europe’s elite permanent.

Carrick should be targeting a top-four finish while also demanding at least one major domestic trophy from his players.

There is genuine quality in the United squad, though question marks remain over the squad depth.

Manchester City and Liverpool appear to be entering periods of significant transition.

Tottenham Hotspur have invested heavily in their squad, but whether their new signings can quickly develop the chemistry required to challenge remains an open question.

With several of their traditional rivals facing uncertainty, United have a golden opportunity to even challenge Arsenal for the coveted Premier League title. (Because, why not?!)

Stats from Fotmob.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United have primarily focused on strengthening their midfield during the ongoing transfer window.

The Red Devils have signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans and seem on the cusp of landing Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba.

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow is the other senior signing for the Red Devils this summer, but there could be more activity in the coming days.

A new left-back could be prioritised to support Luke Shaw, and we believe an offer could be made for Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall.

A striker could be signed before the deadline, provided Joshua Zirkzee is sold. Napoli have recently emerged as potential suitors.

Napoli have a good working relationship with United, having previously signed Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund, and could realistically make a move for Zirkzee.

Keeping that in mind, we believe the Red Devils should pursue a deal for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta if the Dutchman moves to Napoli or another European club.

The Frenchman has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent strikers over the past three seasons. He has netted an average of 14 goals per league campaign.

Mateta was determined to pursue a new challenge away from the Eagles last winter. AC Milan agreed on a package worth £30 million, but he did not pass his medical.

The 29-year-old recovered from a minor knee injury to play a leading role for the south London outfit, who finished the season as the UEFA Conference League winners.

Despite this, Mateta has yet to commit to a new contract beyond June next year. Palace could be prepared to sell him before the transfer deadline to secure a decent fee.

Mateta’s sublime physical attributes and hold-up play would suit United. He is also a towering presence in the box and would be a good deputy for Benjamin Sesko this term.

The Frenchman scored five headed goals last season (16 overall) and won an impressive two aerial duels per outing. He kept opposition defences busy with his movement.

Mateta came close to leaving for £30m last winter, but United could reach an agreement for £20-25m this summer, as Palace could lean towards a sale rather than losing him for a knockdown price or a free transfer next year, in our opinion.

United have shown a change in transfer policy with the willingness to sign experienced players. Tielemans was brought in despite being 29, and we can see Mateta making a similar move.

The World Cup semi-finalist would be a good and solid upgrade on Zirkzee, who has failed to meet expectations with just five goals from 56 league appearances for the club so far.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Arsenal are plotting a double raid on Manchester United before the transfer window closes, according to The Telegraph.

The Gunners have lost a couple of academy graduates in Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven to the Red Devils in recent times.

It appears they are now seeking to do the opposite with winger James Scanlon and right-back Habeeb Ogunneye.

Arsenal are ‘confident’ of agreeing deals for the United academy duo.

Scanlon has already finalised personal terms over a two-year contract with the Premier League champions.

United could lose young duo to the Gunners

Arsenal’s interest in Scanlon and Ogunneye comes as a surprise, given they are well-equipped in the positions they primarily play.

Scanlon is a left winger by trade. Arsenal currently have Christos Tzolis and Gabriel Martinelli in their first-team ranks for the role. They plan to pursue a marquee solution before the deadline.

Meanwhile, Ogunneye is a right-back. Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Jurrien Timber are options in the position at Arsenal. Incoming signing Ezri Konsa can comfortably play there too.

Hence, there does not appear to be any chance for the duo to break into the Gunners’ first-team plans this term, but they could gain valuable experience playing for the Arsenal Under-21s instead.

A change of scenery appears on the cards for the United graduates. With their contracts due to expire in June next year, the Red Devils could sanction their departures for nominal price tags.

Scanlon and Ogunneye spent a part of last season on loan in League Two with Swindon Town and Newport County respectively, and seem far from playing at the top level at the moment.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Manchester United could place their priority on landing Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall after securing the services of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.

The Red Devils have already recruited two midfielders in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, and a third appears close to completion. Baleba looks poised to join in the near future.

In recent weeks, United’s main priorities have been a third midfielder and a left-back.

With Baleba close to joining the Red Devils, the hierarchy could begin to place their emphasis on landing Hall, who has been earmarked as the club’s prime left-back target.

The Magpies have had a difficult summer with the sale of several key stars. They have already parted ways with Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and captain Bruno Guimaraes.

Despite this, United should still remain optimistic of prising Hall away after Baleba.

Brighton valued Baleba at more than £100 million last summer, which put off United.

However, they kept in contact with his agents, and it appears they could sign him for significantly less.

United’s latest offer stands at £60m plus £5m in add-ons. While that remains below Brighton’s valuation, amicable talks continue as all parties work to reach an agreement.

In our view, a deal for Baleba could act as a springboard to land Hall.

The Red Devils desperately need a proven competitor to Luke Shaw for the new season. The 31-year-old recently had a tough outing in the 4-2 friendly loss to AC Milan.

The Englishman was dribbled past multiple times by Samuel Chukwueze and could not cope with the Nigerian ace, who operated as a right wing-back for the Rossoneri.

Shaw has been a reliable figure for United over the last 12 years when fit, but with the extra European workload, there is a risk of him being sidelined, given his long injury record. Patrick Dorgu could deputise at left-back, but he is viewed as a left winger under manager Michael Carrick.

In Hall, United would have a good competitor and a long-term successor to Shaw. The Chelsea graduate would be open to joining the club with his ambition to play Champions League football.

The Athletic claimed earlier this summer that a package worth £50m could test the Magpies’ resolve.

That figure may not be sufficient anymore after the selling spree at Newcastle, but we still believe a higher fee similar to what has been offered for Baleba (£65m) could seal the deal.

It is obvious that Newcastle have a price for every player. If Hall publicly highlights his desire to join United this summer, the Magpies may give in and negotiate a suitable transfer package.

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Manchester United are gearing up for a crucial 2026-27 season under manager Michael Carrick.

Man United are expected to play around 60 games in the upcoming campaign after securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

A demanding season could provide the perfect platform for several young talents to step into the senior spotlight and announce themselves at Old Trafford.

Here are four academy stars who could finally make their long-awaited Man United debuts.

JJ Gabriel

JJ Gabriel is the youngest and arguably the most exciting name on this list.

The 15-year-old has lived up to the enormous hype surrounding him by winning the Premier League Under-18 Player of the Year award last season.

He registered 23 goals and three assists in just 23 league appearances.

He is expected to feature regularly for the Under-21s this season, but Carrick could be tempted to hand the prodigy a first-team opportunity in the cup competitions.

Jim Thwaites

The Red Devils signed Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa this summer in search of a technically gifted midfielder.

Jim Thwaites fits a similar mould, but the 18-year-old arguably possesses an even higher ceiling.

The teenager can operate as either a number six or a number eight, giving Carrick tactical flexibility depending on the profile of the midfielder alongside him.

Thwaites stands out for his ability to fire line-breaking passes from deep and his vision to unlock stubborn defences.

Dan Armer

Dan Armer made a strong impression during pre-season, featuring in four matches and showing exactly why he is so highly regarded at United’s academy.

The 18-year-old is a left-footed centre-back with the ability to confidently carry the ball and play it forward.

He is expected to feature predominantly for the U21s and is also likely to participate in first-team training regularly.

The Red Devils may decide against signing another centre-back this summer, and that could open a fascinating opportunity for Armer.

Given the injury problems that have affected United’s senior defenders, the teenager will have every reason to believe his debut could arrive sooner rather than later under Carrick.

Jaydan Kamason

The right-back has attracted transfer interest from Southampton, Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday.

He is an attacking full-back and his talent was clearly visible during the 5-0 friendly win over Rosenborg.

Kamason may not yet be ready for regular first-team football at Old Trafford, but circumstances could quickly change that.

An injury to Luke Shaw could force Carrick to rely more heavily on Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui at left-back.

Mazraoui’s own injury problems last season could further complicate matters, potentially forcing Carrick to turn to the exciting teenager for cover.

Stats from Fotmob.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United are set to kick off their 2026-27 campaign this weekend, with anticipation around Old Trafford reaching fever pitch.

Club captain Bruno Fernandes was asked to name the Man United player supporters should watch out for this season.

The Portuguese maestro did not hesitate, naming summer signing Andrey Santos.

It is a fascinating choice from Fernandes, particularly given that he has played alongside Santos only twice.

The 22-year-old completed a £50 million move from Chelsea to United last month.

Santos started every pre-season game and he now appears poised to take up the number six role against Hull City on Saturday.

He has enormous shoes to fill after Casemiro produced a stunning 2025-26 campaign.

Santos offered plenty of encouragement across six friendly appearances, constantly making himself available for the ball and dropping between the centre-backs to allow the full-backs to push higher up the pitch.

The defensive midfield role may not always generate spectacular headlines, but his ability to control games and protect the defence will quickly earn the appreciation of manager Michael Carrick.

The Brazilian never received a genuine opportunity to establish himself at Chelsea, and he will be desperate to make a statement at Old Trafford.

He is still very young and will inevitably make mistakes, but he should be given the backing to learn from them.

His first instinct after receiving the ball is to move play forward, regularly attempting ambitious line-breaking passes to split open opposition defences.

An early endorsement from Fernandes suggests he has already seen enough in training to believe Santos could become a major figure for United.

Earning such strong praise from the 31-year-old is no small achievement, and Santos should take it as a major vote of confidence before his first competitive game for United.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United are finally shifting into top gear to bolster their squad with less than two weeks remaining in the transfer window.

The Red Devils submitted a £65 million bid for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba earlier today, signalling their intent to make a late push in the market.

Recruiting a left-back could be their next key priority.

According to Sully Talkz, Man United have held discussions with the agents of Racing Santander left-back Jorge Salinas.

The data team at Old Trafford rate him highly and see him as a player with high potential.

RB Leipzig captain David Raum is also on their transfer shortlist and is highly regarded within the club.

Luke Shaw and Harry Amass are two left-back options for head coach Michael Carrick.

United could play around 60 games in the upcoming season.

Shaw enjoyed an encouraging campaign last term, but his wider injury record remains a major concern and makes it difficult to rely on him across four competitions.

There are also doubts among senior figures at the club over whether Amass is ready to shoulder the first-team burden alongside the England international.

The teenager could leave Old Trafford this summer, either on a permanent transfer or on a season-long loan.

Salinas bagged seven assists in 34 La Liga 2 games last season, helping his club secure promotion to the Spanish top flight.

The 19-year-old has a £13.7 million release clause in his contract, but he is reportedly holding out for a move to Barcelona.

There is an obvious element of risk attached to the transfer given his limited experience at the highest level.

Moving to United would thrust him into an unforgiving environment, with relentless scrutiny from the media and pundits.

United must have a clear development plan in place to protect Salinas from being overwhelmed by the expectations before making a serious move for him.

Stats from Fotmob.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .