OPINION: It is the debate every fan has had this season, usually while reading another injury update: if Michael Carrick could pick from a fully fit squad, what is Manchester United’s strongest team? Here is our answer — argue with us in the comments.
The Team (3-4-2-1)
GK: Lammens
DEF: Yoro, Martinez, Shaw
MID: Dalot, Mainoo, Baleba, Amad
ATT: Fernandes, Mbeumo
ST: Sesko
The Big Calls
Shaw at left centre-back, not wing-back: his passing out of defence is a weapon in the back three, and it protects his body from the wing-back’s running. It does leave the left flank to Amad’s energy — a risk worth taking for the balance it gives.
Mainoo over Santos: the closest call in the team. Santos is the safer defensive pick; Mainoo is the better footballer and the one who changes how United play. In the biggest games, we would trust the academy graduate.
Sesko over Mbeumo up front: Mbeumo’s work makes the system function, but with everyone fit, Sesko’s presence as the focal point — with Mbeumo beside Fernandes behind him — gives United a genuine box threat and lets Mbeumo attack from deeper. It is the combination Carrick has rarely been able to field.
Who Misses Out
Maguire is desperately unlucky — he has arguably been United’s most reliable defender this season — and Tielemans’ passing is hard to leave out. Rashford, when fit, changes any game from the bench. That depth, if it ever exists at once, is exactly what United’s season has missed: the full picture of who is out and when they return is on our Man Utd injury news page.
The Point
On paper, this team should not be 16th. It has a record-breaking captain, a £70m striker, an England international in midfield and defenders wanted across Europe. Whether Carrick ever gets to pick it — with the games stacking up on our full fixture list — may define his season.
