Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes is one of five Manchester United first-team players who must show a lot more under Red Devils boss Michael Carrick in the 2026-27 Premier League season.
The Red Devils have had a mixed start to their current campaign at Old Trafford and all eyes are on how Michael Carrick responds after the October international break.
Michael Carrick’s men are 12th in the Premier League table and Manchester United rescued a point against Fulham in their latest clash at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
With the extended international break now here, United In Focus has looked at five United stars who must offer more for the Red Devils in the October period.
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1. Marcus Rashford
Goals and assists — both have been missing for Marcus Rashford during the 2026-27 Premier League campaign under Michael Carrick at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford has featured in all but one of the Red Devils’ seven matches across all competitions ahead of the start of the October international break.
However, United are now relying on the 28-year-old England international to step up his performances amid the mixed results in the season so far. Rashford has done well at times, but United fans have been left frustrated by his toothless finishing in the final third in his six appearances.
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2. Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes did make his sensational mark this season after he scored a stunning hat-trick in United’s 5-2 comeback win over Ipswich Town. The 32-year-old Portugal international, who also picked up an assist in United’s encounter with Ipswich Town at Old Trafford, also netted against Sabah in the Champions League this month.
However, it does feel that Bruno Fernandes has not been as influential in other key matches, including Man Utd’s 1-0 defeat to 10-man Manchester City, as he should have been for the Red Devils. As Man Utd’s leading talisman, the Red Devils need the same Fernandes who turned his form up a notch in the second half of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
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3. Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw earned the high praise of United fans last season after he defied the odds by starting all 38 of the Red Devils’ Premier League matches. The 31-year-old England international performed well under both Carrick and Ruben Amorim in the 2025-26 season, but he has been well off the mark in the current campaign.
Injuries have once again caught up with Luke Shaw (again) and the Three Lions full-back has been involved in costly defensive mistakes early into the 2026-27 campaign. This could potentially be Shaw’s final season at Old Trafford before his contract expires and the United defender will want to sign it off on a high note.
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4. Diogo Dalot
Just when it seemed like the left-back situation with Luke Shaw was the only problem in play, Diogo Dalot decided it was his time to also make noise for all the wrong reasons. The 27-year-old Portugal international has been disappointing in the full-back role and big questions are now being asked around Diogo Dalot.
As Ineos are expected to sign a long-term successor to Luke Shaw next summer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s regime might have to explore bringing in more competition for Dalot. While Dalot has sometimes been unfairly criticised by Man Utd fans for his performances, it feels like this time it is warranted after his underwhelming start to the season.
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5. Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo’s presence in the Red Devils starting XI will always leave Man Utd fans wondering which version of him is about to show up. Is it the one who had a stellar goalscoring run in the pre-season summer tour under Carrick? Or is it the one who is going to empty the tank with shots and fail to score from even a single attempt?
Bryan Mbeumo has been wildly inconsistent in the Red Devils’ opening matches of the 2026-27 campaign and the 27-year-old Cameroon international knows that he can do better. The former Brentford ace has played in all seven matches across all competitions this season and has netted two times and registered an assist so far.