Manchester United squad analyzed with 10 players facing uncertain futures under manager Michael Carrick

Manchester United embark on a new era with permanent manager Michael Carrick as he looks to take the team from top-five challengers to Premier League title contenders.

A new era at Manchester United is in full swing, with Michael Carrick closing in on his first signing of Atalanta midfielder Ederson.

The new manager took the job thanks to an incredible 17-game spell that lifted the Red Devils into third place and secured a return to the Champions League. The real tough job now begins, and next season will present an even tougher test for Carrick and the United team.

For a long time they have been a team that has been fighting to be in the top four, or now the top five. It represents a major shift in expectations for a club that once won the Premier League but have not challenged for the title since they last won it 13 years ago.

Carrick’s impressive form has led some to suggest United could challenge for the top flight next season, especially with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool in transition. If that happens, the team will have to undergo a ruthless weeding process, and some players will no longer be able to contribute.

There is talk that the club will bring in five new players this summer to address issues at the back, midfield and final third. If so, the transfer of certain players could give the team a new look.

Mirror Football has looked at United’s current squad as they aim to become title challengers once again and assessed which players have the potential to be part of a champion team and who should move on due to quality or fitness.

goalkeeper

The need for world-class goalkeepers becomes clearer when you consider that Premier League winning teams over the past decade have had goalkeepers named Thibaut Courtois, Ederson, Alisson and David Raya.

Few would have put Senne Ramens in that category, but the Belgian appears to be improving. He arrived early in his debut season and immediately looked like the solid presence that had been missing for years.

Ramens made very few mistakes and would not be the first unknown player to become famous immediately after arriving in Manchester. If an injury occurs to anyone other than him, it will naturally raise questions and there is a good chance that Andre Onana and his big salary will be moved.

Keep: Rammen

Question mark: Onana, Heaton, Bindil

defense

Under Carrick, United kept six clean sheets in 17 games. Although they are by no means regularly violated, they cannot be classified as nuts that are difficult to break through and must be addressed as such. During that 17-game period, they conceded at least two goals in a game seven times.

They have some good centre-halves, but probably none of them are elite. Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are works in progress and both have great potential. Harry Maguire brings more than his performances on the pitch, showing resilience throughout his time in Manchester and boasting a vast amount of experience.

Matthijs de Ligt has been deemed non-compliant by Bayern Munich and Juventus, resulting in a red flag. Lisandro Martinez has shrugged off questions about his size to prove himself in England, but there must be deep-rooted doubts about his ability to stay fit.

Diogo Dalot has been a consistent performer and Patrick Dorg has also enjoyed moments that suggest he is more than worth keeping. Luke Shaw is another player who has had some fitness issues, but he always proves his worth when available and fit. Tyrell Malasia’s contract expires this summer.

Keep: Yoro, Heaven, Maguire, Dorgu, Dalot, Shaw

Question mark: De Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui

midfield

This is the area Carrick and co are targeting most this summer as they look to add more quality, more legs and more depth. Casemiro’s departure came as a result of his form, but age and time were always against him. The resurgence of Coby Mainou is largely due to Carrick, who once again looks like a player who could dominate midfield for the next decade.

Bruno Fernandes could add the PFA Player of the Year award to his other individual accolades. There’s not much more to say about the influence of the command center.

The same cannot be said for Mason Mount. He has rarely, if ever, looked like the player who was once such an important player for Chelsea. The move to Manchester didn’t go well and was hampered by injuries. Still, the creative star probably wants a role for Fernandes, but that won’t happen anytime soon. Manuel Ugarte is a player who will earn cash if the club receives a suitable offer this summer.

Keep: Fernandes, Mainu

Question mark: Mount, Ugarte

forward

This is an area where United had real success in last summer’s transfer window, building real depth, particularly on the flanks. Brian Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha were among the team’s best players on their debut.

They signed Benjamin Sesco in the summer and it took them a little while to get going, but after Christmas they started producing match-winning goals and looked like they were on their way to the top. Joshua Zirkzee is linked with a move to pastures new, with his replacement likely to be on the club’s shortlist.

With Jadon Sancho’s contract expiring and Marcus Rashford set to return from his loan spell at Barcelona, ​​big questions remain over what he and his boyhood club will do next.

Amad has been in Manchester for a number of years and, while competition for his spot is fierce, he has enough quality and time to be a strong contributor in a team challenging for honours.

Keep: Sesco, Mbeumo, Cunha, Amado

Question mark: Zirkzee, Rashford

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