Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manchester United’s 2026 pre-season tour has been a success so far, with the positives far outweighing the negatives as the squad builds toward the new Premier League campaign.
Pre-season isn’t about results, but they are a factor Manchester United fans pay close attention to because they can help build momentum. Teams can also win every pre-season friendly only for their confidence to shatter into smithereens after losing the first game of the new season.
Michael Carrick will be happy that he has been able to give a range of players minutes in the first three matches of the 2026 pre-season tour. To make matters even better, United haven’t reported a single injury setback, and long may that continue.
United have three matches left to play before travelling to Hull City for their Premier League opener. Here is what I want to see from Carrick’s team as more players return from extended leave following the 2026 World Cup.
Diogo Dalot at Carrington
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Crucial minutes for Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko
United are still welcoming players back for pre-season. Carrick will be keen to give minutes to Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko in the final pre-season fixtures.
These games are important for Carrick’s side in terms of establishing tactical rhythm, which is something the group managed in a short period of time last season – once Ruben Amorim had been sacked.
Dalot and Fernandes have only returned for pre-season training, while Sesko has yet to feature this summer due to recovering from the shin injury that ended his debut campaign prematurely.
It’s key to get these key starters on the pitch together in pre-season because it allows Carrick’s core structural blueprint to take shape. They need match minutes together as a group.
Perhaps the biggest talking point from pre-season has been Mason Mount’s impressive form. I have already written about how he has been the biggest beneficiary of Andrey Santos’ arrival so far, but that has more to do with the fact that Carrick hasn’t had many options to select from in midfield apart from academy players.
Take nothing away from Mount; he deserves his credit, but I want to see different midfield partnerships as we get closer to the competitive season because we cannot rely on a midfielder who has missed 70 matches due to injury since costing the Reds £60m in 2023.
Youri Tielemans has yet to make an appearance in pre-season due to his involvement in the World Cup, so fans will be looking forward to seeing the Premier League-proven Belgian in United’s midfield after years of speculation.
An encouraging performance from Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire has looked completely off the pace in pre-season, so a commanding display at the back from the experienced England international would help settle a few nerves.
The young defenders surrounding Maguire have impressed, and it may take him longer to get back up to the speed of things than his younger peers.
Maguire had the summer off after being omitted from the England squad. It was a decision many criticised at the time, but hopefully it benefits United in the long run.
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Young stars surviving Man Utd first-team cut
As more first-team players return for pre-season, we will get a better idea of what young players Carrick plans to keep around the first team.
I suspect that will include Shea Lacey and maybe Harry Amass – unless a new left-back is signed amid links to Lewis Hall.
Jacob Devaney has impressed on tour but could be sent out on loan again, with academy prospects in a similar boat.