A problem that plagued Manchester United last season may have just been solved, with Michael Carrick being handed a couple of exciting new options
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has been handed a couple of lifelines(Image: Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick has been handed two potential solutions as Manchester United look to address a weakness that hampered them throughout last season.
While United's newly assembled front three of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo has largely impressed, one glaring issue remains: a lack of pace in attack. That deficiency is particularly evident on the left flank, where Cunha has predominantly operated.
The Brazilian enjoyed an encouraging debut campaign at Old Trafford, registering 10 goals and four assists. Few would argue he has been anything other than a successful signing. However, Cunha's game is built more on technical quality and intelligent movement than explosive pace, leaving United short of a genuine speed threat in wide areas.
It left United short of options when games were stretched and they needed someone able to run in behind and catch the opposition defence off guard. That, however, could be about to change.
One player capable of providing exactly that is Marcus Rashford, who appears set to return to United following his loan spell at Barcelona. A permanent move to the Spanish champions had looked likely earlier this year, but the club's £70million move for Anthony Gordon appears to have ended Rashford's hopes of staying in Catalonia.
If he stays at Old Trafford, Rashford would offer Carrick something few of his attacking options possess: blistering pace, direct running and the ability to stretch opposition defences.
Rashford isn't strictly a new solution for United, but with Carrick not having managed him last season, his return effectively gives the head coach a new dimension to his tactical approach.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United, coach Michael Carrick in 2021
Marcus Rashford could be exactly what Michael Carrick needs to improve his attack(Image: 2020 Soccrates Images B.V.)
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United may also have another pacey option in new signing Tynan Thompson. The 18-year-old winger joined the club from Tottenham earlier this month in a deal worth an initial £4m, with a further £4m in performance-related add-ons.
Although it remains to be seen whether Thompson will feature in Carrick's first team plans this season, his electric speed and willingness to take on defenders make him an intriguing prospect. Like Rashford, he offers a different attacking profile and could provide the kind of penetration United lacked at times last season.
Thompson's transfer draws similarities to Ayden Heaven's arrival in January 2025. The centre back joined United from Arsenal's academy aged 18 for £1.5m and has since played 24 senior games.
Tynan Thompson signing a Manchetser United contract
Tynan Thompson completed a move to Manchester United earlier this month(Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Thompson is an England youth international who scored 13 goals and registered six assists across Spurs' Under-18s to Under-21s last season, including seven goals in seven UEFA Youth League games.
He became United's first attacking signing of the summer. Until then, the club's recruitment drive had focused largely on bolstering the midfield, with deals for Chelsea's Andrey Santos and Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans completed earlier this month.
United had also looked set to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson after agreeing a deal for the Brazilian, but the transfer collapsed before it could be finalised. As a result, the club have shifted their attention to alternative targets, with AS Roma's Manu Kone and Brighton's Carlos Baleba both reportedly being considered.