Man United preseason issues stack up for Carrick before Europe tour
Michael Carrick has new midfielders, a Rashford call and Champions League workload questions to settle before the Premier League starts.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Man United preseason issues are already piling up as Michael Carrick begins work as permanent head coach, with ESPN reporting that squad building, Marcus Rashford’s future and the club’s return to the Champions League sit high on the summer to-do list.
Carrick got the job after a second-half surge last season took Manchester United back into the Champions League, according to ESPN’s Rob Dawson. The former England midfielder now has to turn that revival into a full campaign while the club handles a busier calendar.
United have already added midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, with ESPN saying the pair cost a combined £85 million. More business could follow, with the club linked in the report to another midfielder, a striker and a left-sided player, either at left back or left wing.
The preseason has started without United’s World Cup players. ESPN reported that United lost to Wrexham in Finland before beating Rosenborg 5-0 in Norway, with further friendlies scheduled against Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United and AC Milan.
The Premier League opener comes at newly promoted Hull City on Aug. 22, giving Carrick only a few weeks to settle his squad before the proper grind begins.
What are Man United’s preseason issues?
The main questions are whether United finish their transfer work, how they handle Rashford, how much they can lean on Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, how they support goalkeeper Senne Lammens, and which academy players Carrick can trust. ESPN framed those five areas as the key pressure points before the season starts.
Rashford is the most delicate case. ESPN reported that Barcelona had been expected around March to use a £26 million option to turn his loan into a permanent move, but that has not happened.
The report said the likeliest outcome for now is Rashford returning to the first-team group because another move before he is due back in early August looks unlikely. ESPN also noted a possible awkward detail: his No. 10 shirt has gone to Matheus Cunha.
Carrick’s previous work with Rashford could help. ESPN said Carrick knows the forward from his time coaching under José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, after Ruben Amorim’s exit changed the setup at Old Trafford.
Why Maguire, Shaw and Lammens matter now
United’s Champions League return changes the rhythm. ESPN pointed out that Carrick’s strong run after taking charge in January came with one match a week, a pattern that will not hold once European games begin.
Maguire and Shaw are described by ESPN as key players for Carrick, but the report raised questions over how often they can play when matches come every three days. Maguire turns 34 in March, while Shaw has dealt with injury problems in the past.
Both are back in preseason training after missing England’s World Cup squad, according to ESPN. Carrick and his staff now need to judge their workload without pushing them toward injuries that could take them out for long spells.
Lammens is another case to handle carefully. ESPN reported that the goalkeeper was excellent in his first United season but may return from the World Cup hurt by Belgium’s exit, after his late mistake against Spain led to Mikel Merino scoring the winner.
Young players could also shape the squad. ESPN highlighted Shea Lacey, who scored in the Rosenborg win, and left back Harry Amass, who also found the net in Trondheim after getting Premier League minutes under Amorim.
If Carrick can trust two or three academy players for regular squad roles, ESPN said United could gain depth without spending more of the transfer budget. With Europe back on the menu, those minutes may arrive quickly.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.