Carrick’s Manchester United best eleven predicted

As a result, Manchester United were once again forced to change managers midway through the season, with Michael Carrick being appointed as Ruben Amorim’s short-term successor over Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

United’s newly announced ‘head coach’ – a title which, interestingly, does not include any reference to the position of caretaker or caretaker manager – will take over for the first time this weekend, taking on small duties with Josep Guardiola and Manchester City.

With Amad and Brian Mbeumo returning from AFCON duty, the Englishman is moving closer to having a full-strength squad, especially with Nouser Mazraoui set to return later this month.

This will give the five-time Premier League champions plenty of options in the coming weeks, giving them the perfect opportunity to implement their preferred 4-2-3-1 system.

The chances of this month’s new signings look less likely with each passing day, but regardless, let’s take a look at how Carrick’s starting XI will shape up…

1

goalkeeper and defender

Despite enduring some shaky moments in Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Brighton, Sene Lamence is undoubtedly number one and there is no rhyme or reason to Carrick making waves in the goalkeeping department.

The young Belgian is expected to have the aforementioned Mazrawi at right-back, but long-serving Diogo Dalot certainly did not live up to his welcome and once again squandered two important chances against the Seagulls.

There remains real depth at centre-back, with Lenny Yolo and Aiden Haven having been on the scene recently, and Carrick may value their experience if Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt return from injury in the near future.

In addition to that physical combination, the left-back position at the time may require more mobility and athleticism, and Patrick Daugs, who started in that role ahead of the absent Luke Shaw last time out, could certainly be available.

Signed primarily to play as a wing-back, the young Dane was used primarily as a full-back at Lecce, ensuring that he was eligible to play regularly in his actual legitimate position.

2

midfielder

The midfield unit, a key area for Carrick to resolve, is in real need of a resurgence as the futures of all senior midfielders are currently uncertain heading into this summer.

Bruno Fernandes is another player who could leave, at least in the short term, but he should remain United’s originator and man in charge, returning to his preferred attacking midfield role after being suppressed in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.

The change could allow Coby Mainu to take up a position behind, or almost alongside, the Portuguese prodigy, with Carrick previously suggesting he does not see the England starlet as a holding midfielder.

That deep role could instead be taken over by something like a wildcard option in Lisandro Martinez, with the Argentine warrior showing flashes of what he could do in that number six spot in the second half at Villa Park last month.

Meanwhile, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte could be pushed to the fringes.

3

forward

Carrick, who starts at the top, would be wise to allow summer signing Benjamin Sesco to continue his recent momentum. The Slovenian striker was the biggest beneficiary of Amorim’s departure.

Three goals in the last two games under manager Darren Fletcher have shown what the 22-year-old can do with regular service, and a move for Fernandes is likely to help create new links, as he did against Turf Moor last week.

Right-sided Mbeumo has already scored seven goals for his new team since returning for £71m in July and will be hoping to pick up where he left off before the AFCON.

The 26-year-old, a star player who scored 20 goals for Brentford last season, is a certainty to start at Brentford, ensuring Ivorian talisman Amad can provide much-needed speed and energy in his new role on the left.

The 23-year-old usually lines up as a No. 10 on the right wing or right wing-back at United, but with the diminutive “magician” hailed by journalist James Copley in excellent form, scoring three goals for his country, a shift to the left could be a way to fit into the new system.

What does it mean for Mateus Cunha? Now, despite scoring impressive shots away at Elland Road and Villa Park under Amorim, the Brazilian has underperformed in recent games and has been something of a bystander in the cup run.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers star could well replace Amad or Sesco if needed, but he has yet to live up to expectations after receiving sky-high comparisons with Eric Cantona upon his arrival.