Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Manchester United's start to the 2026/27 season so far has not been anywhere near what they expected, or wanted, under Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils suffered defeat to Hull on the opening day in the Premier League, before claiming a 5-2 win over Ipswich Town in their second game, and then being held to a 2-2 draw against Everton most recently, despite taking the lead twice on the day.
The team have conceded six goals in their opening three games, against teams who are likely to find themselves in a relegation battle come the end of the season, and it has raised some major question marks over the transfer business the team did in the summer.
The club brought in three new central midfielders in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba during the window, while veteran goalkeeper Karl Darlow and teenage winger Tynan Thompson also arrived to bolster Michael Carrick's squad.
But the Red Devils didn't address their defensive issues. A left-back was understood to be a priority, but one never arrived, meaning Luke Shaw is the first-choice and only senior option for the role despite being 31 years old, and having an abundance of injury issues throughout his career.
Centre-back is also a problem. INEOS handed Harry Maguire a new one-year contract extension, while Lisandro Martinez and Shaw are in the final years of their contract, and Matthijs De Ligt hasn't played since November 2025 due to a back injury.
The defence that started the game against Everton on Sunday was the same one that started the 4-0 defeat to Brentford under Erik ten Hag four years ago.
INEOS have made it clear that they are planning a defensive rebuild for next summer, having sorted the midfield this year and the attack last year. But they are letting Carrick down, and the fans are growing sick of it.
Speaking on the latest episode of Stick to United, club legend Wayne Rooney admitted that he feels the defence isn't the strongest, claiming that Maguire was probably the first-choice option under this manager.
"Then you've got Martinez, who's had his injury problems. Heaven, who has got a lot of potential, I really like, but it is potential. We haven't seen enough of him."
Maguire Must Be Dropped for Yoro
Leny Yoro
Action Images via Reuters
Maguire is the most experienced defender at the club, but he's far from the best and he certainly shouldn't be the first-choice.
Carrick is a fan because he likes to have a bit of a homegrown core, and he trusts Maguire's capabilities. But the 33-year-old isn't cut out for the highest level of football with his physical deficiencies, and it's costing Man Utd regularly. There is nobody better in the air than Maguire, but with the ball on the floor he struggles, and if there is space behind him he is a liability.
Rooney name-checked Ayden Heaven, but Leny Yoro is someone the club have sent huge money on, and it's time he was given a real run at centre-back alongside Lisandro Martinez in a back four.
Maguire himself has described Yoro as 'exceptional', and someone who has all the attributes to become one of the best in the world. He has the pace and ability on the ball to develop and help the team deal with the issues they're experiencing.
Rooney knows the defence is an issue, but he's wrong about Maguire being first-choice. The club should drop him for upcoming games against Sabah and Man City, and give Yoro the nod instead.