Man Utd potential line up under Carrick next season – £100m signing, new No.10

Michael Carrick has impressed as interim boss with four wins and a draw from five matches

There’s plenty of football left to play between now and May, but Michael Carrick has already done enough to ignite discussions about a permanent role at Manchester United. Four victories and a draw from five league games have placed United fourth in the table with 12 matches remaining and Champions League qualification is within their grasp.

If he maintains United’s position in the top four, the interim manager will undoubtedly be considered for the job on a full-time basis.

Other potential candidates, Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti, have both extended their contracts with their current national teams, while Mauricio Pochettino – previously on United’s radar – has been more recently associated with a return to Tottenham.

Carrick’s predecessor, Ruben Amorim, was sacked in early January, resulting in a subdued winter transfer window.

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United have generally been hesitant to splash out mid-season in recent years, but the impending appointment of a permanent manager suggests they could be significantly busier come summer.

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One certainty is that United will need to plan for life without Casemiro, whose departure has already been announced. As for what else might be in store, we’ve examined what a permanent Carrick appointment could mean for the first team.

Goalkeeper and defence

The 2025 signing of Senne Lammens has proved successful thus far, and the Belgian can be expected to remain as the first choice, though a fresh deputy might be necessary.

Altay Bayindir has been linked with a move back to Turkey, while Tom Heaton reaches 40 in April, and Andre Onana’s situation remains uncertain after being sent out on loan by Amorim – although Radek Vitek could return as the second option following an impressive spell on loan at Bristol City.

Defensively, Harry Maguire’s contract expires in the summer, but speculation regarding a fresh deal – on revised terms – has surfaced. The England international has excelled alongside Lisandro Martinez during Carrick’s reign, whilst Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Ayden Heaven have all earned playing time in a position where United seem well-equipped.

At full-back, Luke Shaw reaches 31 this year and possesses a notable injury record, even if he has been more available this campaign.

Patrick Dorgu’s revival before his latest setback could see the Dane emerge as United’s strongest option on the left, with reports in Germany indicating Borussia Dortmund star Julian Ryerson might be a summer target – permitting one of Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui to stay as cover and the other sold.

Midfield

A replacement for Casemiro is the primary objective, and it’s not an area United will wish to cut corners. Transfer fees exceeding £100million meant United held off on certain targets last summer and instead concentrated on offensive additions, but the moment has arrived to make the midfield the focus.

Carlos Baleba’s reputation seems to have diminished recently, while Adam Wharton could be the leading candidate should United appoint Oliver Glasner. If Carrick gets the role, though, a £100m move for Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson makes the most sense as a player who could excel in a partnership with Kobbie Mainoo.

In more advanced positions, there’s a suggestion that this summer presents the ideal opportunity to secure a complete separation from Bruno Fernandes.

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Matheus Cunha has demonstrated he can excel as a number 10, and this might be the final chance to secure a substantial fee for skipper Fernandes, releasing resources to use elsewhere.

Manuel Ugarte represents another who might be moved on after struggling to cement himself at Old Trafford. However, there’s an argument for retaining Mason Mount given his resurgence and clear adaptability.

Attack

Cunha arrived at Old Trafford last summer alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, who have experienced mixed success. Whilst Mbeumo applied his Premier League knowledge to instant effect, Sesko required slightly more time before displaying encouraging signs of late.

On the opposite flank to Mbeumo, Amad remains an option as he looks to recapture the form he displayed before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations. Yet there’s another option gathering momentum – bringing back Marcus Rashford.

Rashford has been spending the campaign on loan at Barcelona, but the appointment of his former team-mate Carrick has sparked speculation of a reunion.

That would require Barca to not take up a £26.2m purchase clause, with recent reports suggesting they want to try and renegotiate the fee despite an impressive stint in Catalunya. Should United stand firm and refuse to lower their asking price, the England international could provide an option across the front three should he return.

Manchester United potential starting XI under Michael Carrick next season: Lammens; Dorgu, Maguire, Martinez, Ryerson; Anderson, Mainoo, Cunha; Rashford, Sesko, Mbeumo.

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