Manchester United are set to return for pre-season next week, but Michael Carrick doesn’t yet have any new players to bolster his squad.
Ahead of this summer, we all hoped that Ineos would work fast in the transfer window and give Michael Carrick the best chance of success next season.
But with less than a week until Manchester United return for pre-season on the ninth of July, and just over two weeks until kick-off against Wrexham in Scandinavia.
As things stand, United won’t be fielding a new signing for this game. But that shouldn’t concern fans because there is plenty of time to do transfer business; however, it won’t be the strongest side United have ever named.
Here is the side we expect to see against Wrexham, barring any surprise additions.
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Radek Vitek
The expectation is that Radek Vitek will be sold by United this summer, but the chances of this happening before the opening game of the tour are slim, and so we have him starting with no Senne Lammens due to the World Cup.
Jaydan Kamason
Carrick won’t have a senior right-back available at the start of pre-season with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui still at the World Cup. So this opens the door for Jaydan Kamason to step up and try to stake his claim.
Harry Maguire
While Harry Maguire was dealt the blow of not getting called up by England for the World Cup, it does mean he will be fresh and ready to go for United. He should start on the right, likely with the captain’s armband.
Ayden Heaven
Partnering with Maguire, it could be one of two defenders, but we’d like to hope Ayden Heaven will be at the fore of Carrick’s plans ahead of what should be his proper breakout season. With extra competitions, United will need all these players.
Luke Shaw
Left-back is a position United are keen to bolster this summer, but here it will be Luke Shaw starting. Harry Amass will be providing the competition for him, and really, either could start, but we assume it would be Shaw.
Jacob Devaney
Moving into the midfield, and this is where Carrick has some issues with no signings made and Kobbie Mainoo away at the World Cup, it is time for the academy to shine. So we have Jacob Devaney as the player who will make the biggest impression in training and start against Wrexham.
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Mason Mount
Alongside Devaney, we anticipate it will be Mason Mount. Carrick spent the final few weeks of the season playing him here, and it will likely be where he gets most of his minutes during the 2026/27 campaign, when he is fit.
Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo’s non-involvement in the World Cup was excellent news for United, because it means that he gets a full pre-season, which he didn’t have last season. This could set him up perfectly for an even better second year.
Shea Lacey
Bruno Fernandes isn’t going to be back until late July, and so the number 10 position will be an interesting one in the early stages of pre-season, but we’ve gone for Shea Lacey. It could be JJ Gabriel, Jack Fletcher or Jim Thwaites, but Lacey has the qualities to be a 10, so he could be a solid option here.
Patrick Dorgu
Patrick Dorgu is set for a massive 2026/27 season, and he will have the chance to nail down that left-wing position before a new signing or Matheus Cunha can. Another player we expect to be even better next season.
Benjamin Sesko
Starting up front will be Benjamin Sesko, ahead of his second season as United’s striker and potentially with the number nine on his back. Sesko was excellent last season, and with a full pre-season at United, he will take another big step up, hopefully toward the 20 league goals mark.
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