Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Michael Carrick can only hope that Ineos won’t sell him short with two parts of his Manchester United first-team squad that are showing visible signs of weakness.
Ineos have been bolstering the midfield area of the Red Devils squad after Andrey Santos was signed from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans was landed from Aston Villa.
Ederson was set to sign for Manchester United after a deal was reached in June, only for a transfer for the Brazil and Atalanta midfielder to collapse in July.
Kit Margetson, Tynan Thompson and Karl Darlow have been among the other Red Devils signings that have been brought to Old Trafford under Ineos this summer.
READ MORE: Not only World Cup, Kobbie Mainoo’s first full Man Utd season under Carrick will be ‘symbolic’ for another reason
Head Coach Michael Carrick, Assistant Head Coach Steve Holland of Manchester United takes part in a walk ahead of 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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Man Utd’s defence still needs additional reinforcement, especially for the left-sided centre-back
Michael Carrick is better positioned with his right-sided centre-backs, with the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire all vying for the role.
Even with Matthijs de Ligt being a long-term absentee due to injury, both Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire can be alternated for the 2026-27 Premier League campaign.
However, the left-sided centre-back is limited to mainly Ayden Heaven and Lisandro Martinez, with the latter sidelined due to an injury setback at the World Cup.
Lisandro Martinez has been Carrick’s preferred pick for the role, but the 28-year-old Argentine defender’s injury-hit spell at Old Trafford leaves much to be desired.
If Martinez is sidelined, the heavy lifting for carrying the position falls on the shoulders of Ayden Heaven, who is only 19 years old and still developing.
Heaven has shown that he can step up in Martinez’s absence, but Ineos must look at another centre-back option to provide much-needed squad depth to the role.
READ MORE: I believe these will be outcomes from Man Utd’s final three pre-season tour matches under Michael Carrick
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Kobbie Mainoo’s role in the Man Utd midfield shows Ineos’ major transfer business cannot stop right now
The arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have helped fill the void left behind by Casemiro after the Brazilian midfielder’s Old Trafford exit this summer.
However, United manager Carrick has limited options to choose from if he wanted to alternate Kobbie Mainoo for another No 8 during a busy fixture run next season.
Manuel Ugarte is currently sidelined due to an injury setback from this summer’s World Cup, while Mason Mount is the only other viable option for Carrick.
Considering Mason Mount’s injury-hit spell, a third midfield signing must remain near the top of the list for Ineos before the summer transfer window shuts.