Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
Michael Carrick’s remaining Manchester United matches for the pre-season summer must be treated as more than simply ‘friendly fixtures’ in his mind now.
Manchester United are now in the final stages of their pre-season preparations and the Red Devils will return to action against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.
Following the showdown with defending Champions League holders PSG, the Red Devils will then switch their attention to Premier League rivals Leeds United.
Man Utd will also have a reunion with former Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim later this month after Michael Carrick’s men face Serie A side AC Milan.
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Jesper Blomqvist makes a powerful assessment of Michael Carrick’s final three Man Utd pre-season matches
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has overseen two wins and one loss since the start of the Red Devils’ pre-season summer tour in July.
Wrexham inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the Red Devils in Finland before Manchester United thrashed Rosenborg 5-0 at the Lerkendal Stadion in Norway last month.
Carrick made it back-to-back victories last Saturday after Man Utd produced a 2-1 comeback win against Atletico Madrid at the Strawberry Arena in Sweden.
Speaking after United vs Atletico Madrid, Jesper Blomqvist stressed the importance of Carrick working out his ‘best’ starting XI after the final three matches of the tour.
“In the last three games now, we need to try to pin down who the starting XI will be for the first game, or as close to it as you can get,” he told MUTV, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“When the Premier League kicks off, you need to be ready. It’s difficult as a coach when some players have been away to prepare everyone.”
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Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United speaks to the media prior to the during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Atletico de Madrid at Strawberry Arena on August 01, 2026 in Solna, Sweden.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Irrespective of the results, Michael Carrick’s final Man Utd starting XI is the most important lesson from this tour
Carrick could oversee three defeats in the forthcoming pre-season matches and it would mean nothing, as friendly matches are the perfect time to experiment.
However, former Man Utd star Jesper Blomqvist hit the nail on the head for why the encounters with PSG, Leeds United and AC Milan are more important this summer.
Carrick might still receive more signings before the summer transfer window shuts in September, but the United legend needs to know his ‘perfect’ starting XI pick.
The pressure could immediately pile on for Carrick if his first match of the 2026-27 Premier League season ended in a defeat after Ineos appointed him permanently.
Considering the calibre of opposition left in the summer tour, United fans should not overlook what can be learned from Carrick’s tactical approach for next season.
Man Utd’s remaining 2026 pre-season fixture list, including start times and dates:
Saturday 8th August 2026: Paris Saint-Germain (Nya Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden) — 4pm UK time
Wednesday 12th August 2026: Leeds United (Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland) — 7:30pm UK time
Saturday 15th August 2026: AC Milan (Tarczynski Arena, Wroclaw, Poland) — 3:45pm UK time