Manchester United‘s best season-finish for years in the 2025/26 campaign was enough to secure Michael Carrick the full-time managerial role – and now the hard work begins.

With a more intense schedule to contend with, Carrick will have to manage his squad far differently to cope with European football, as United will return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2023/24 season.

That will result in more games across more competitions, removing the luxury of a week in between matches to prepare. Now, the onus is on the hierarchy to build a deeper squad capable of coping with the increased workload to be able to be successful, and Old Trafford has already welcomed multiple new additions.

As United have confirmed the signing of Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans, we’ve decided to focus on what Carrick’s best team could look like with the £35million man in the side.

Goalkeeper

Senne Lammen

Reuters/Kiyoshi Mio

Last season’s mid-season swap for United was a key change that allowed them to flourish. Andre Onana‘s poor form compounded their collective failures to such a point that the addition of little-known Senne Lammens from the Belgian league was hailed by fans, as the former Antwerp keeper quickly settled and brought a calmness back between the sticks.

His form earned him the Premier League‘s official ‘Transfer of the Season‘ and whilst that could be contended, there’s no doubting he was a significant upgrade for Carrick. However, he will need to shake off a disastrous World Cup appearance, as it was his fatal mistake that allowed Spain‘s Mikel Merino to knock Belgium out. He had replaced Thibaut Courtois after an injury, but his weak parry for the late winner has been heavily criticised, despite support from the Real Madrid shot-stopper. Yet, he will remain their number one heading into the new campaign.

Defence

Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Shaw

United currently have five central defenders on the books, with Matthijs De Ligt, Lisandro Martínez, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven – combining for a strong mix of youth and experience. Outside of that, Tyrell Malacia has left the club and Patrick Dorgu has been utilised as an attacking figure, leaving them with Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui as full-back options.

Mazraoui can feature on both sides whilst Shaw enjoyed his best campaign for years, starting every single league game. Left-back has been a position on the docket for some time, with Newcastle United‘s Lewis Hall a key target due to his youth, experience, physicality and improvement across the past 12–18 months.

If he arrives, expect him to be a starting figure. Fabrizio Romano has already confirmed he is a player United are interested in, and they have reportedly kept contacts open over a summer move.

Midfield

Tielemans, Mainoo, Fernandes

United’s business has been mostly focused on their engine room. With Casemiro exiting, and Atalanta‘s Ederson failing to complete a medical, it leaves them without a key starter to partner Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes. Whilst Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte remain, the focus has been on recruitment, with Chelsea‘s Andrey Santos arriving for near to £50million and Aston Villa‘s Youri Tielemans brought in as strong midfield additions.

Tielemans, 29, is hugely experienced and fresh off a Europa League triumph, whilst Santos impressed in Ligue 1 before being brought into Chelsea’s squad where he managed nearly 2,500 minutes across four competitions. There is still scope to bring in another midfield profile, with France‘s Manu Kone catching the eye at the 2026 World Cup. However, long-term target Aurélien Tchouaméni is unlikely after positive contract news, whilst Bournemouth‘s Alex Scott also remains an option.

For Carrick, working out the right balance will be key given Santos’ versatility and Tielemans’ strengths, as well as considering the role of Mainoo alongside their talisman Fernandes. Some fans believe a player with a more defensive midfield profile should be sought, with Kone the closest match target-wise. However, the recruitment has been swift and positive.

Attack

Mbuemo, Cunha, Sesko

One area in which United is well-stocked is in attack. A strong 2025 window spending around £200m ensured they upgraded their attack in one fell swoop, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo and Benjamin Sesko, with Cunha and Mbuemo recording their best-ever Premier League campaigns in terms of goals prior to the move.

After a difficult adaption, the trio grew into the season and developed a strong bond, with their chemistry improving game by game, eventually resulting in 38 goal contributions in the league. Those numbers will need to improve as the competition strengthens, but it remains a strong foundation for Carrick to work with.

For Sesko, the concern is that United look to bring in another number nine, given Joshua Zirkzee is the only other natural option. One report claimed they would go all out for Harry Kane, should he become available this summer.

Full Predicted Team

Lammens; Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Shaw; Tielemans, Mainoo, Fernandes; Mbuemo, Sesko, Cunha.

FIFA have caused yet more controversy as it’s been revealed they will break football laws during the 2026 World Cup final.

The 2026 World Cup final is just days away. It will take place on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium, with kick-off set for 8pm BST (3pm local time).

Spain became the first nation to book their place in the final when they defeated France at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday evening. Goals either side of half-time from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro gave the Euro 2024 champions a 2-0 victory.

They will be joined in the final by England or Argentina. The two nations contest the second semi-final at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday evening.

REUTERS/Henry Romero

FIFA have come under fire for many decisions they have made during the tournament. Their most controversial decision came earlier this month when they suspended the red card Folarin Balogun picked up against Bosnia in the last 32 so he could play against Belgium in the following round.

They have caused controversy yet again after it was revealed that they will break football laws during Sunday’s World Cup final.

A half-time show will be held for the first time in World Cup history on Sunday. Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and PS22 Chorus will all perform.

The maximum time allowed for a half-time period is 15 minutes. However, to accommodate the show between the two halves, FIFA will extend that period.

FIFA are yet to confirm the official length of the break at the World Cup. According to the Times, broadcasters are expecting it to be around 30 minutes.

FIFA also broke the same rule during the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup final in 2025. During the match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, the half-time break lasted 25 minutes in total.

Football fans have expressed their anger on Reddit. One fan wrote: “Thirty minutes?! That’s longer than the Super Bowl halftime show. Good lord, what the heck is FIFA doing?!”

A second said: “FIFA doing its best to make people not watch the World Cup ever again,” while a third commented: “This is actually ridiculous.”

A fourth stated: “The sport we loved, massacred by even more corporate greed”, while a fifth called out Gianni Infantino: “Infantino as president is an absolute joke.”

Luis De La Fuente Speaks Out After Victory vs France

REUTERS/Daniel Cole

Luis De La Fuente was full of praise for his Spain side after their victory against France. He said after the match, per ESPN:

“We’re feeling unbeatable. They (France) faced the best team in the world. We have that edge. These players deserve everything because day after day, they demonstrate their commitment, their generosity, their solidarity, and their talent.

“It is wonderful to watch them play. Today was a spectacle. What seems difficult, this team makes it look easy.”

On who he wants to face in the final out of England and Argentina, the 65-year-old added: “Right now we don’t prefer one or the other.

“They have different characteristics. I would be excited to face Argentina because I’m a close friend of Lionel Scaloni but I really like England as well. We welcome either of them with open arms.”

Manchester United are said to be interested in another Real Madrid star after trying to sign Aurelien Tchouameni this summer. The Red Devils have already snapped up a couple of midfielders this summer, with Youri Tielemans joining Andrey Santos to bolster Michael Carrick’s midfield.

But while attention may turn to strengthening other positions for the time being, Carrick knows he has not yet replaced Casemiro in the holding midfield role, with the Brazilian having left in the summer, leaving a sizable gap.

United still seem to want to sign a defensive midfielder, and with Tchoumeni not a player Real Madrid are willing to sell, it seems there is another potential Los Blancos option

Man Utd check on Eduardo Camavinga

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, United are said to have interest in Tchouameni’s teammate Eduardo Camavinga. He said on his YouTube show: “Another option, in this case only mentioned internally in the meetings, has been also Eduardo Camavinga. So Camavinga, Manu Koné, that kind of player, defensive midfielder who can run, who can help with intensity, also physical. So this is what Man United are looking for. On Camavinga, Eduardo Camavinga doesn’t want to leave Real Madrid this summer.

“Camavinga wants to stay. Camavinga wants to continue the club. Camavinga wants to be an important part of Real Madrid project next season. So the Camavinga story could only be possible if the player decides to go. But at the moment, Camavinga wants to stay at Real Madrid, so this is why the deal for Camavinga is complicated.”

It was reported in Spain earlier this summer that if Real Madrid bring in a big name to add to their midfield, which looks likely, they will be willing to expend Camavinga, with Tchouameni strictly not for sale. But the decision is going to the player’s, and keep in mind the Frenchman can also play at full-back, so he is rarely in a position where he is not going to find minutes somewhere in the team.

Camavinga’s physicality is what Man Utd will like

Speaking back in 2021, even Carlo Ancelotti, who signed Camavinga, was surprised by the player’s physicality. He said: “Yes it has surprised me a bit, that’s the truth. We all know the quality he has, physical and technical. Then on the pitch he’s shown his personality, we didn’t know about that. What happens in games doesn’t worry him, he’s confident.”

Ancelotti added after a win over Athlertic Club in 2023: “I want to highlight Camavinga’s performance tonight, as he was spectacular,”

Camavinga is still only 23 years of age, which is another factor United will like, and he has incredible experience fro a player of that age, already winning two Champions League titles.