How Manchester United are expected to line up for first 2026/27 Premier League match

Michael Carrick will be forced to deal with an injury crisis heading into his first season as permanent Manchester United manager.

The Red Devils boss was promoted from his caretaker role in May after guiding the club back into the Champions League.

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United finished third in the Premier League last term having lost just two of his 17 matches in charge.

His side will begin the new season away to newly-promoted Hull City on the opening weekend.

The two clubs meet at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, August 22 at 12.30pm, live on talkSPORT.

However, how will United line-up under Carrick when they take on the Tigers?

United injuries

The former midfielder will be without some key players heading into the first weekend of the season.

Several of those have been absent throughout pre-season, though, giving Carrick a chance to prepare for how he will cope until their return.

Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined until September with a long-term back injury.

Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte is set to miss the majority of the season after undergoing surgery on a knee injury suffered at the World Cup.

Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez have both been unavailable so far this summer, with the latter forced off in the World Cup final with a thigh injury.

Benjamin Sesko also remains a doubt to face Hull due to the shin injury he suffered in May.

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The Slovenia striker has yet to feature for United so far in pre-season ahead of their final outing against AC Milan on Saturday.

Mason Mount could miss out too after he was forced off against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.

Goalkeeping duo Karl Darlow and Tom Heaton are also currently absent, with the former still recovering from minor surgery.

How will United line-up on opening day?

Carrick has used his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation throughout United’s pre-season schedule.

The shape was his preferred system as the Red Devils rallied to finish in the top four last term.

Fortunately for him, first-choice stopper Senne Lammens is fit after featuring for Belgium at the World Cup.

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The full-back positions are also at a full compliment, with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw likely to start the season on the right and left, respectively.

With Martinez and De Ligt both absent through injury, Carrick’s centre-back options have taken a hit.

Whilst Ayden Heaven did impress when called upon last season, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro are likely to get the nod against Hull.

Moving into midfield, summer signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have both featured heavily this summer.

The departure of Casemiro, paired with Mainoo and Ugarte’s injury, means they are set to form a new-look pairing in the centre of the park.

In front of them, captain Bruno Fernandes remains United’s creator-in-chief when it comes to the four-man attack.

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Amad Diallo has solidified his starting role on the right in pre-season, but there is more of a debate to be had on the left wing.

Full-back Patrick Dorgu has been converted into a wide forward under Carrick with three goals and one assist since his arrival.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford re-joined the squad ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against Leeds United following his loan spell with Barcelona.

Despite that, Matheus Cunha can be expected to begin the season on the left flank for United.

As a result, Bryan Mbeumo will fill the void left by Sesko’s enforced absence at centre-forward.

The 27-year-old, who did not go to the World Cup after Cameroon failed to qualify, scored 11 league goals during his first season with United.