As the 2026/27 football season approaches, Manchester United’s squad depth is significantly increasing, providing head coach Michael Carrick with more options for his starting lineup. Several key players have returned to first-team training following their international commitments, bolstering the team ahead of crucial pre-season fixtures.
Key Player Returns Bolster Manchester United Squad
The return of Senne Lammens and Youri Tielemans, who participated in the World Cup quarter-finals, has been earlier than anticipated. Both players rejoined training sessions at the beginning of the week. Their reintegration is a significant boost for Carrick, who had a limited pool of players for the initial pre-season matches.
Further strengthening the squad, Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes from Portugal, Matheus Cunha from Brazil, and Noussair Mazraoui from Morocco are also set to rejoin the team this week. These players were involved in the latter stages of the World Cup, with Brazil and Portugal exiting in the Round of 16 on July 5th and 6th respectively, while Morocco’s campaign concluded in the quarter-finals shortly after.
The imminent return of these international stars means that for Manchester United’s upcoming pre-season match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this Saturday, Carrick will have almost his full complement of players available to select from. This presents a welcome selection dilemma for the manager as he finalizes his strongest starting XI.
Who is Still Unavailable?
While the majority of the squad is returning, three players who reached the final stages of the World Cup will remain unavailable for the PSG game: Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Lisandro Martinez. These players are expected to join the squad for a training camp in Ireland following the PSG fixture. Despite their late return, they are anticipated to be fit and ready to integrate back into the team.
Assessing the Strongest Starting XI Against PSG
With a near-complete squad, Carrick faces significant decisions regarding his starting lineup, particularly for the match against the European champions, PSG. Several established starters are now back and vying for their positions.
Goalkeeper and Defence
Senne Lammens is expected to immediately reclaim his position as the undisputed number one goalkeeper. In defence, the previous setup saw Yoro at right-back, with Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven as the central defensive pairing, and Luke Shaw at left-back. However, the return of Diogo Dalot is likely to see him slot in at right-back, considered by many to be the strongest option. This could potentially shift Yoro into a central defensive role alongside Maguire. Ayden Heaven might find himself on the bench, while Luke Shaw is expected to retain his spot at left-back. Noussair Mazraoui may feature in the game, but Dalot and Shaw are currently viewed as stronger full-back options.
Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt continues his rehabilitation from an injury and is not yet available for selection.
Midfield Considerations
The midfield presents an even more complex selection puzzle for Carrick. Captain Bruno Fernandes is a guaranteed starter in his customary No.10 role. The challenge lies in deciding who will partner him in the deeper midfield positions. Competition is fierce among Andrey Santos, a £48 million signing, £35 million new arrival Youri Tielemans, and the in-form Mason Mount.
Mason Mount’s impressive pre-season performances and his relentless work rate make him a strong contender to start. His inclusion seems logical given his current form. Andrey Santos’s ball-winning capabilities are particularly valuable against possession-heavy teams like PSG, suggesting his importance in breaking up play. This tactical consideration might place Youri Tielemans on the bench for this specific fixture, despite his quality.
Attacking Options
The return of Matheus Cunha, coupled with the absence of Benjamin Sesko, positions the Brazilian to lead the attacking line. If Cunha starts as the central striker, Bryan Mbeumo could move to his preferred position on the right wing. This would likely mean Amad Diallo takes a place on the bench, ready to make an impact as a substitute. The combination of Mbeumo’s pace and Dorgu’s attacking runs, supported by passes from Cunha and Fernandes, is expected to pose a significant threat to the PSG defence, especially on the counter-attack.
Projected Strongest Manchester United XI vs. PSG
Considering player availability, recent form, and tactical considerations against a formidable opponent like PSG, Michael Carrick could field the following strongest starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Senne Lammens
- Defence: Diogo Dalot, Zinedine Yoro, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw
- Midfield: Bruno Fernandes, Andrey Santos, Mason Mount
- Attack: Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Patrick Dorgu
This lineup represents a blend of returning stars and in-form players, aiming to provide a strong foundation for Manchester United’s pre-season campaign and set the tone for the upcoming 2026/27 season.
