Best Man Utd XI under Carrick: 4-2-3-1 with surprise left-back choice, Dalot out
Manchester United named Michael Carrick as the new head coach for the remainder of the 2025-26 season after sacking Ruben Amorim from the managerial position last week.
There is no bedding-in period for Carrick, with his baptism of fire coming immediately as United host local rivals Manchester City in a high-stakes Premier League clash this weekend.
The former United midfielder arrives with recent managerial pedigree, having spent two-and-a-half years at Middlesbrough where the 4-2-3-1 system was his tactical weapon of choice.
With just 17 matches left to salvage the campaign, attention now turns to how United could line up under their new caretaker boss.
Goalkeeper
Senne Lammens
A tactical reshuffle is unlikely to unsettle Lammens, who is set to retain his position between the sticks.
Defence
Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Patrick Dorgu
Mazraoui is a highly technical and press-resistant defender. Persisting with the erratic Diogo Dalot ahead of the Moroccan would feel like an unnecessary gamble.
De Ligt and Martinez could be the first-choice centre-back partnership, with Ayden Heaven unfortunate to drop out after a string of eye-catching performances in recent weeks.
Patrick Dorgu could be handed a pivotal role, particularly if Carrick demands that his left-back push aggressively and overload the attack.
While Luke Shaw offers reliability and experience, Dorgu’s pace and directness may provide greater penetration in the final third.
Midfield
Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes
It would be a major surprise if Carrick does not show immediate faith in Casemiro and Mainoo by handing them a sustained run at the heart of midfield.
Mainoo looks set to be liberated, with Carrick keen to give him the freedom to surge forward and operate as a true box-to-box presence.
Bruno Fernandes remains untouchable in the number 10 spot.
Attack
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko
With Dorgu providing natural width on the left, Cunha could be freed to drift inside, combining with Sesko and attacking the box with greater menace.
Mbeumo’s pace and discipline on the right flank would stretch opposition back lines, creating valuable space across the front line.
Despite recent criticism, Sesko has responded with impressive mental resilience, finding the net three times in his last two outings.
His cutting edge and physical presence give him a clear advantage over Joshua Zirkzee as United’s leading striker option.
Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .