Defence promises to be a central issue for Carrick and Manchester United

In Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire, Matthijs De Ligt, and Lisandro Martínez, Michael Carrick can talk of high potential: seasoned operators who will patrol the Manchester United backline safely.

Except the 44-year-old privately harbours concerns about the five central defenders, especially as there is no plan to strengthen in the position unless one or more departs. Are they an ideal blend of youthful zest and experienced winners? Or a unit that may prove vulnerable and injury-prone across the long months of the campaign?

Carrick approaches his first full season as manager with the prospect of leading United on four fronts for a first time: Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and, after a two-year absence, the Champions League.

When taking temporary charge last January, after the sacking of Ruben Amorim, Carrick had 17 league matches to negotiate with United out of the other competitions. Carrick impressed, wiping away the angst and chaos left by the Portuguese’s removal. United finished last season in seventh place with 32 points, nine behind Aston Villa in third.

The coming season, though, is the acid test and may expose Carrick’s callowness with only 20 games as United’s manager behind him. In those 17 matches last season, United lost only twice – 2-1 defeats by Newcastle and Leeds – and conceded 18 times. He made United hard to beat. But closer scrutiny of the five players tasked to secure central defence – the full-backs Noussair Mazraoui, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw can operate there too – throws up uncomfortable questions.

Yoro, at 20, and the 19-year-old Heaven are yet to progress beyond showing potential and must mature into sure-footed defenders this season.

Yoro, with 66 appearances since joining from Lille, for £52m, in 2024, is the more senior but has been prone to the occasional error. After two seasons, the hope is that Yoro’s 6ft 3in frame, serious turn of pace, and calm style will elevate his game.

The 6ft 2in Heaven, who signed in February 2025 from Arsenal for a nominal fee, made 11 league starts last season and is blessed with technique, speed and a more robust build. He says: “I’m young and I’ve got to be patient, especially in my position. You don’t see a lot of 19-year-olds playing week in, week out. I know it’s nothing personal. I’m waiting for my opportunity.”

At 33, Maguire is at the opposite end of the career spectrum. The former England defender possesses guile and commitment yet is one-paced and may be exposed. Left out by Thomas Tuchel for the World Cup, the former United captain offers leadership, and was part of the 2024 Carabao Cup triumph, so knows how to win.

Under Carrick he would expect to begin the season as first-choice, alongside Martínez, except the 28-year-old Argentinian remains plagued by injury. He was forced off before half-time in the World Cup final defeat by Spain with a muscle problem, and his fitness for the season opener at Hull is in the balance.

After a starring role in United’s 2-1 defeat of Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final, Pep Guardiola rated him “a top five centre-back in the world”. But regardless of The Butcher’s merits, Carrick cannot rely on him staying fit.

De Ligt’s robustness may be of even greater concern for the manager. The 26-year-old has not played since the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on 30 November with a back injury that was finally operated on in May. Speaking after the procedure, he said: “Since November I have done everything, pushing myself in every session and exploring every option, to get back to doing what I love, playing football.”

The aim is for De Ligt, who boasts league-winners medals from with Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich is to be back early in the season. Yet the uncertainty over De Ligt, Maguire, Martínez, Yoro and Heaven is mirrored by the club’s so far unconvincing summer recruitment, particularly compared with their rivals.

Manchester City signed Eliott Anderson for £116m, while Chelsea (Morgan Rogers, £117m), and Tottenham (Sandro Tonali, £100m, Mateus Fernandes, £85m) have all made big investments. United’s major signing, by contrast, the 29-year-old Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, plus Andrey Santos, a 22-year-old with just 11 league starts last season for Chelsea.

There are still five weeks of the transfer window left so the picture may change significantly by 1 September. But at the moment, it’s difficult to make a case for a fit-for-purpose defence at Carrick’s United.

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