Premier League analysis: Will Michael Carrick’s Man Utd be successful next season?

An impressive 2025/26 campaign from Manchester United, following Michael Carrick’s mid-season appointment, saw them finish third in the Premier League.

Many fans would suggest that the next step is claiming major trophies in the coming season, but it may not be that simple.

Sports News Blitz writer and Man Utd fan Tom Down looks at the club’s transfer intentions and the path to another successful season.

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Last season

It would be hard to argue that the Red Devils did not exceed expectations in the 2025/26 season.

Beating Premier League champions Arsenal, as well as the rest of the big six clubs at least once, showed a level many fans had not seen in a long time.

Transfers from the previous summer can definitely be credited for much of this, as all outfield signings finished the season with at least 10 goals, while the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens provided a sense of security in goal that the squad had been missing.

The star of the show, however, was Bruno Fernandes, who once again proved he is the heart of the team, breaking the all-time league assist record.

With Ruben Amorim’s tenure cut short mid-season, there was a big mountain to climb for Carrick, who was originally appointed interim boss for the remainder of the campaign.

But the former Red Devil brought new life into the team, which made them look unbeatable at times.

This newfound energy helped them push toward a third-place finish, securing Champions League football for the 2026/27 campaign and ultimately earning Carrick a permanent appointment as head coach.

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Summer transfers

United will hope to bolster their squad over the summer with a deal agreed for Atalanta midfielder Ederson for a fee of around £35 million with add-ons.

Midfield remains a priority following the departure of Casemiro, who was instrumental in many of United’s wins, while Manuel Ugarte is increasingly looking like he may not be the right fit for Carrick’s system.

There are doubts over whether Ederson will be able to cope at Premier League level, and it is likely the club will pursue another midfielder, with Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha named among the latest rumours.

The Reds have also been linked with a left winger following Alejandro Garnacho’s departure last year, and Marcus Rashford’s future remains uncertain after Barcelona reportedly opted not to pay his release clause.

Rafael Leão’s name has been mentioned frequently, while another potential option comes from recently relegated West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville.

However, Patrick Dorgu impressed in that position on multiple occasions last season, so it may not be as urgent a concern compared to other areas United need to strengthen.

Another position under discussion is centre-back, with Bayern Munich’s Min-jae Kim among those linked to strengthen the back line.

The other two positions being considered are a backup goalkeeper, as Altay Bayındır looks set to leave the club, and a second striker to compete with Benjamin Šeško.

Robert Lewandowski and Victor Osimhen are just two of the names that have been mentioned.

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Next season

The impressive performance last season, combined with strong reinforcements this summer, suggests Manchester United could be pushing for major trophies like the Premier League and Champions League, but it is not always that simple.

A familiar theme for United over the past 10 to 15 years is that every step forward is often followed by setbacks.

Many will remember the 2021 season, when the squad included big names like Paul Pogba, Jadon Sancho, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who had returned to the club after 12 years.

It looked like one of the strongest United sides in years, with expectations only rising.

However, the managerial change from Ole Gunnar Solskjær to Erik ten Hag, which later contributed to Ronaldo’s infamous departure, left many fans feeling the team had made little progress in its quest to return to dominance.

The current side looks as strong as it has in years, but injuries and internal issues can change momentum quickly.

However, internal disputes appear less likely now, given the strong relationship Carrick has reportedly built with his players.

After winning Footballer of the Year at the Football Writers’ Awards, Bruno Fernandes told Sky Sports:

“Michael came in with a big personality but also a lot of calmness about what he needed to do to bring the best out of the team, and he did it in the best way.

“For myself, it was a great end to the season. I really enjoyed the football I was playing, and most importantly, the team was getting results.

“We spoke before and agreed we could play better and want to play better. We did not quite reach the level we want, but since he came, the results show we were one of the best teams in the Premier League.”

So Manchester United certainly look like they are on the right track, but achieving the heights they hope for next season will still be a challenge.

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