Michael Carrick has held the fort for Manchester United, going into the 2026/27 season
Manchester United move into the 2026 summer with more momentum than they have had in years. Under Michael Carrick, United picked up more Premier League points than anyone else since January, locked down Champions League football, and grabbed a third-place finish. But coming in third isn’t the same as lifting the trophy. If Manchester United want to truly go toe-to-toe with Arsenal and win the league in 2026/27, they need to pull the trigger on three specific moves before pre-season kicks off.
1. Give Carrick the job for good and lean into his tactics
Manchester United have reportedly looked at keeping Carrick on past this season, but they need to move quickly and make it official. Carrick moved away from that clunky 3-4-2-1 high-press, opting instead for a balanced, disciplined shape. This setup lets Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes run the midfield without being exposed at the back, while giving Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo the license to kill off games. Giving Carrick a full pre-season to refine this blueprint turns his recent run of form into a long-term identity.
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2. Bring in a top-tier holding midfielder to fill the Casemiro vacuum
With Casemiro’s contract up, Manchester United are officially in the market for two new midfielders this summer. Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni has emerged as the perfect target at roughly £70 million. He offers a physical presence at the base of the midfield and a legitimate threat in front of goal. Putting him next to Mainoo would give Manchester United one of the most balanced midfields in the league.
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3. Sign a veteran striker to take the pressure off Sesko
Benjamin Sesko has been on fire with nine goals in his last 14 outings, but he shouldn’t have to carry the frontline alone, especially with a heavy Champions League schedule looming. With Harry Kane’s contract talks stalling at Bayern Munich, every top club in Europe is on high alert. Adding a striker of Kane’s pedigree alongside Sesko would give Manchester United a world-class attack, finally putting them in a position to end their long wait for league glory.
