Manchester United 2026/27 Season Preview: Can Carrick Build on the Turnaround?
Around 18 months ago, Manchester United finished 15th in the Premier League, their worst placing in more than five decades and their first-ever bottom-half finish in the competition. Last term, they completed one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent Premier League history, recovering from a dismal first half of the campaign under Ruben Amorim to finish third and secure Champions League qualification for the first time since 2023-24.
Even the most ardent Manchester United fan would have struggled to foresee the incredible impact Michael Carrick would have on the club following his arrival as interim coach in January. Having inspired a dramatic turnaround, Carrick was always likely to be installed as permanent head coach. Rewarding that good work with a two-year contract was a logical move, allowing the Red Devils to head into the summer without managerial uncertainty looming over their recruitment.
Now, Man United head into the 2026/27 season with a sense of renewed optimism and an assured calmness, with the mood around Old Trafford shifting from chaotic to collected.
Summer Ins and Outs at Manchester United
Midfield was clearly an area of concern, especially with Casemiro departing on a free transfer to MLS. The need for greater depth and quality alongside Kobbie Mainoo prompted an £85m investment in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
Santos arrived from Chelsea for £50m after impressing on loan at French side RC Strasbourg. Man United triggered a release clause of £35m to sign Tielemans from Aston Villa. Young winger Tynan Thompson has arrived from Tottenham, but he is one for the future. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow has also been snapped up on a free transfer from bitter rivals Leeds United.
This means the Red Devils’ problems in defence still have to be addressed. Harry Maguire enjoyed a strong last season, but he is 33 and not getting any younger, while Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt seem to spend as much time on the treatment table as they do on the pitch.
Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are both young centre-backs with high potential, but with Carrick’s side set to compete with the big boys in the Champions League, they could do with quality depth. For the first time in his United career, Luke Shaw played every single league game last season. However, given his injury record, INEOS are also yet to sign a young left-back to cover and compete with Shaw.
“It’s been pretty obvious… that he’s come back fantastically well.”
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 20, 2026
Further forward, Carrick has to solve the Marcus Rashford conundrum, after Barcelona decided against making his loan deal permanent. And if Joshua Zirkzee leaves amid Juventus interest, United will need to replace him before the September 1 deadline.
As far as the outgoings are concerned, Rasmus Hojlund’s move to Napoli became permanent for £38m due to a conditional obligation in his contract at the start of the summer. Goalkeeper Radek Vitek joined Championship club Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee last week, while Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia have all departed on free transfers. The club also loaned out goalkeepers Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir to Trabzonspor and Celta Vigo, respectively.
Early Manchester United 2026/27 Premier League fixtures
Man United start their campaign with a trip to newly-promoted Hull City on August 22, followed by a home fixture against another newbie, Ipswich Town, a week later. They visit the Hill Dickinson Stadium to face Everton in gameweek three.
The first Manchester derby arrives as early as gameweek four, with Manchester City visiting Old Trafford on September 13. Carrick’s side have a busy schedule in October and November, with the Mancunian giants set to face Tottenham, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Liverpool. Things will get trickier when the Champions League fixtures kick in, testing United’s squad depth and resilience.
Manchester United Player to watch out for: Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes delivered arguably the finest individual season in United’s recent history, registering nine goals and a record-breaking 21 assists in 35 Premier League appearances to win both the FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season awards. The Portuguese international remains the beating heart of the side, and if he can produce numbers anywhere close to last season’s tally, Carrick’s side will be in for an exciting term.
Manchester United 2026/27 season prediction
The realistic target is a repeat of a top-four finish, which is harder than it sounds with a Champions League campaign attached and a squad that did not participate in Europe last season. There are still several glaring holes and weaknesses in the squad, but with just under two weeks remaining in the transfer window, INEOS must buck up and deliver the tools for Carrick to compete.
If the Red Devils can replicate the form they showed against top teams last season and avoid mishaps against lower-ranked sides, they can finish in the top four. A title challenge would be an overachievement.