Manchester United are bracing themselves for a hectic summer with Michael Carrick overseeing his first transfer window as manager. Carrick has been handed the permanent head coach role until June 2028 after an impressive interim period.
The ex-midfielder steered the Reds to a comfortable third-place finish in the Premier League, something that seemed unthinkable at times under predecessor Ruben Amorim. Securing Champions League football not only provides director of football Jason Wilcox with additional funds but also transforms Old Trafford into a far more appealing destination.
Having strengthened the attacking options last year, the club is expected to prioritise reinforcing the midfield on this occasion. However, numerous alterations are also anticipated in defence and between the posts, with Senne Lammens the undisputed No. 1 following his arrival last summer.
The back-up goalkeeper position heading into the new season is less clear-cut, though, with both reserve stoppers expected to depart for a combined £48.3 million fee. Andre Onana has spent the past year on loan at Trabzonspor and is now heading back to Old Trafford.
Yet the Cameroonian does not feature in the club's future plans. Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan recently acknowledged that discussions are underway regarding a permanent transfer for Onana.
Meanwhile, Altay Bayindir initially started this season but swiftly lost his position to the impressive Lammens. He has also been linked with a switch to his homeland, Turkey.
That creates an opening for another reserve goalkeeper to join Tom Heaton, who recently put pen to paper on a new one-year extension with the club. And it could well be another former United academy graduate who never featured for the senior side.
The club are reportedly weighing up a move to re-sign goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from Wolves following their relegation from the Premier League. The 33-year-old has been at Wolves since 2024 but has not held down a regular berth, clocking up just 27 outings across all competitions over the past two years.
He could prove the perfect deputy, bringing a wealth of experience while helping to satisfy homegrown player requirements.
Carrick's backline appears more settled heading into the new campaign, particularly regarding central defence and right-back. The position requiring the most urgent attention across the defensive unit is left-back, given how limited United's options are in that area. Tyrell Malacia is confirmed to be departing when his deal runs out this summer.
Patrick Dorgu has been deployed as a winger whenever fit by Carrick. Meanwhile, Luke Shaw, now 30, cannot realistically be expected to complete another full 38-match league campaign, and his contract is due to expire next year.
Casting an eye over the transfer market, United's preferred target is reportedly Newcastle's Lewis Hall, who is believed to have admirers at Old Trafford. Newcastle maintain the 21-year-old is not available and the player is contracted until 2029.
A bid of £70 million could persuade them to part with the Englishman, considering the Magpies paid £35 million for him two years ago. On the whole, Hall looks likely to prove too expensive for United, though there is little question he would be the perfect long-term replacement for Shaw.
United also have the impressive Harry Amass waiting in the wings, though he lacks the Premier League pedigree that Hall possesses. Nathaniel Brown has also attracted United's attention off the back of his impressive displays for Eintracht Frankfurt, presenting yet another option, though he too is expected to cost in excess of £50 million.
Should United offload their two goalkeepers, bring in Johnstone, and somehow secure Hall, here is how their back-line will shape up next season:
- Goalkeeper: Senne Lammens, Sam Johnstone, Tom Heaton.
- Right back: Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui.
- Centre back: Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven.
- Left back: Lewis Hall, Luke Shaw, Harry Amass.
