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Paul Merson believes Manchester United are sorely lacking in depth this season, but how does their squad look under a microscope? And where could Michael Carrick do with more options?
United are now putting the final touches on their preparations for the Manchester derby, facing Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday. It's a big test for Carrick's men, who are off to a disappointing start this season, winning once, drawing once and losing once in the Premier League, while they did manage to make easy work of Sabah in the Champions League during the week.
Ahead of their clash with City, Sky Sports pundit Merson has taken aim at the club's recruitment, believing Carrick has been left very short when it comes to squad depth. He wrote: "Man Utd have got the Manchester derby - and their season is in the balance too. If you beat Man City, you're flying. If you get beat by Man City, here we go again. It would be one point from two games, including the Everton game and other teams are winning around you.
"The squad isn't big enough. It's nowhere near enough. Defensively they're nowhere near good enough. I am worried - and this is why I didn't put Manchester United in my top five at the start of the season. Nothing's changed for me since then. When you draw games, it hurts you."
So, does Merson have a point? We take a closer look at each position below.
Goalkeepers
United should be okay between the sticks, taking the modern approach of not putting too much stock into back-up keepers, though Karl Darlow had a very strong season for Leeds United last season. Senne Lemmens is the undisputed number one, while Tom Heaton, although currently injured, is the number three. If all else fails, a keeper will be called up from the under-23s.
Left-back
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This is a position United failed to address during the summer, and it could come back to bite them. Luke Shaw, who has had his fair share of injury troubles and is now 31 years of age, is the only senior left-back, with youngster Harry Amass the only natural cover. Patrick Dorgu can also play here, of course, and that is realistically what United are relying on. This is a position that lacks depth.
Centre-back
United do probably have enough at centre-back. There may be a quality question to be asked depending on their objectives, but between Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven and Harry Maguire, there are enough centre-backs to get through a season barring some really bad luck with injuries, in which case it gets addressed in January with an emergency signing.
Right-back
United have two solid options on the right between Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, and they will be comfortable with the two, knowing one of the centre-backs or midfielders can deputise if both players are lost to injury.
Holding midfield
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United have three options on their books for the pivot role, but it is realistically two due to Manuel Ugarte's long-term injury. New signings Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos both operate in this position, and whether United have enough is again down to their objectives. If they are aiming for a top four finish, then Santos and Baleba may be enough, but those players are obviously a long way behind some of the best teams, considering Arsenal, for example, can call upon Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, Martin Zubimendi and a number of others. This has become one of the most important positions in the game, and there is a case to be made that United fall short on quality and depth with that in mind, especially if they want to start making up the gap on those above them.
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Centre-midfield
These two positions often cross over in many systems of play, but we will separate them because the players are different by nature. United will be happy with their two box-to-box midfielders, with Youri Tielemans an experienced Premier League hand, while Kobbie Mainoo is also a very good option to have. With four midfielders in all plus youngster Tyler Fletcher for cover, the Red Devils are okay here. Mason Mount can also play here, and often does.
Attacking midfield
Bruno Guimaraes is the obvious starter, and he ha hasn't had much injury trouble over the years. Beyond him, United have Mount and Jack Fletcher, but they also know they can use Marcus Rashford and Bryan Mbeumo here, so they will be comfortable with what they have in this role.
Left-Wing
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United have Rashford and Dorgu as their left-wing options. Some of the right-wingers can also be options, but Carrick likely feels he is short on this side, especially when you consider Dorgu is going to have to be used at left-back at times this season, and already has.
Right-wing
Mbeumo is the main option here, and United also have Amad Diallo, who has been dealing with an injury of late but remains a good option. Shea Lacey is also an emergency option. In truth, United just lack depth out on the wings in general. They need a winger who can play both sides who can deputise on the right or left, with only two senior options for each side currently, although Cunha can play wide if needed.
Centre-forward
United have three strikers on their books between Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee. In terms of actual depth, Carrick will feel fine with the three, although you wonder how he would have felt it Zirkzee ended up being sold. Carrick has three different type of strikers, which is a nice thing to have. Whether it is enough quality is another question, and one these three players will have to answer with their play this season, but in terms of actual depth, United are fine up top.