The international break is almost over, and Manchester United are preparing to return to Premier League action with Michael Carrick facing several major questions about his squad and his team’s poor start to the campaign.
United sit 12th in the table after winning just one of their opening five league matches, while their Carabao Cup campaign ended with defeat to Brighton. Their next assignment could hardly be more important, with Tottenham travelling to Old Trafford on Saturday.
Spurs are currently bottom of the Premier League, meaning another disappointing result would increase the pressure surrounding Carrick despite the club having no immediate plans to change managers.
JJ Gabriel’s Future Looks Increasingly Uncertain
One of the biggest concerns away from first-team matters is the future of highly rated teenager JJ Gabriel.
The youngster has now reached his 16th birthday, allowing him to use his EU passport to move to a foreign club and formally appoint an agent. United can offer him a scholarship, but that would primarily protect the club by guaranteeing compensation should he eventually leave.
That compensation could reportedly be as little as £300,000, leaving United with limited protection if Gabriel decides to pursue his career elsewhere.
Europe’s Biggest Clubs Circle Gabriel
Gabriel’s representatives have reportedly held discussions with several leading European clubs since the teenager indicated that he wanted to leave United.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have emerged as prominent contenders, while Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also believed to be interested.
Real Madrid have been viewed as marginal favourites, particularly after Barcelona sporting director Deco publicly suggested that the Catalan club was not interested in a player in Gabriel’s circumstances. Barcelona, however, are still understood to remain in contention, with Gabriel having trained in the Castelldefels area.
Agent Choice Could Influence Gabriel’s Decision
The decision over who represents Gabriel could also prove important.
Ali Barat has so far been advising the player’s family informally, although he is facing competition from several established agents, including Jorge Mendes.
United continue to believe that returning to Manchester would be the best option for Gabriel’s development and have no intention of simply releasing his registration.
However, the club’s willingness to consider legal action if regulations surrounding the player’s situation have been breached highlights how concerned they are about losing him.
Reports that Gabriel made demands over guaranteed playing time against Sabah and Brighton before considering signing scholarship forms have further fuelled suggestions that a return to United is unlikely.
Carrick Still Has United’s Backing
For now, Carrick’s position appears relatively secure despite the team’s disappointing start.
The manager benefited from the attention being directed towards Manchester City during the international break, but United’s own problems have not disappeared.
Carrick has overseen just one league victory in five matches and also suffered an early Carabao Cup exit. United’s owners have themselves faced criticism over issues including the club’s ticket touting crackdown and recent financial results.
Nevertheless, there is currently little indication that the hierarchy is preparing to make another managerial change.
Carrick has extensive experience of United and is understood to have the backing of senior figures at the club. However, his position will inevitably become more difficult if results fail to improve.
Tottenham Clash Could Increase the Pressure
Saturday’s meeting with Tottenham represents a significant opportunity for United.
Spurs are currently the only major club performing worse than United in the Premier League and arrive at Old Trafford sitting at the bottom of the standings.
A defeat would intensify questions surrounding Carrick, although it would still be unlikely to trigger an immediate decision from the club’s hierarchy.
For United, however, the fixture represents more than an opportunity to climb the table. It is a chance to prevent the frustrations surrounding the team from becoming a much larger crisis.
Injury Problems Continue to Complicate Selection
United’s early-season struggles have been made more difficult by a series of injuries.
Benjamin Sesko and Luke Shaw have both missed time, particularly exposing the lack of depth in positions where the club did not strengthen before the transfer window closed.
Shaw has now returned to fitness, but United subsequently suffered further problems at left-back. Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui both returned from international duty requiring treatment.
Mazraoui suffered a back problem while playing for Morocco against Lesotho, while Dorgu’s hamstring injury against Wales is particularly concerning because he spent three months sidelined with a similar problem last season.
Sesko Injury Leaves United Short of Strikers
Sesko also withdrew from Slovenia duty after suffering another setback involving the shin problem that has troubled him for much of the year.
His absence leaves United without a recognised senior striker, increasing the importance of other attacking options.
Bryan Mbeumo has shown he can operate centrally, but Carrick currently needs him on the right wing because Amad Diallo remains unavailable after an injury sustained during pre-season.
Matheus Cunha has also struggled when deployed as a false nine, with both of his goals this season coming after he moved back to the left side.
Baleba Provides a Positive Injury Update
There is at least some encouraging news for Carrick.
Carlos Baleba, the club’s £70 million summer signing, returned to action in a behind-closed-doors match against Lausanne after recovering from an ankle injury.
The Cameroon international had been an unused substitute against Fulham, and Carrick must now decide whether he is ready to make his first competitive start against Tottenham.
Sesko, Diallo and Matthijs De Ligt were not pictured in the Lausanne match, although club sources have indicated that this does not necessarily mean they failed to feature.
Their availability for the Spurs fixture therefore remains uncertain.
January Transfer Window Could Become Important
United may also have to reconsider their transfer strategy when the January window opens.
The club explored a move for Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri before the summer deadline, demonstrating that strengthening at left-back was already on the agenda.
With Shaw, Dorgu and Mazraoui all experiencing injury problems, the need for another option in that position has only become more obvious.
The striker position could also require attention if Sesko’s injury problems continue.
United had been prepared to rely on their existing options after deciding not to add another striker, particularly once Joshua Zirkzee remained at the club. The early-season problems have now made that decision look increasingly risky.
Rashford’s Future Remains Complicated
Marcus Rashford’s situation is another issue United may have to address.
The club wanted to remove his £325,000-a-week salary from the wage bill during the summer but failed to find a suitable buyer. A January departure is now considered unlikely, particularly given the financial implications of replacing a player of his profile.
Barcelona’s £70 million move for Anthony Gordon from Newcastle also demonstrated how expensive it could be to find a replacement capable of filling Rashford’s role.
As a result, Rashford’s future could be left until next summer.
Why Rashford Is Being Used on the Left
Rashford’s preference remains to operate from the left wing rather than as a central striker.
That position is viewed as potentially beneficial as he attempts to settle back into life at Old Trafford following an extended period away on loan.
United’s current attacking imbalance makes the situation more complicated.
Mbeumo is needed on the right until Diallo returns, while Cunha has struggled through the middle. Rashford therefore remains more effective on the left, where he has already shown signs of being more comfortable.
United Need Results and Players Back
The return from international duty comes at a crucial stage for United.
Carrick remains in his position, but continued poor results will eventually test the patience of both the supporters and the club’s hierarchy.
With Tottenham next, injury concerns unresolved, Gabriel’s future uncertain and potential January recruitment already becoming a talking point, United have plenty of issues to address.
For now, the most immediate priority is simple: start winning Premier League matches before the frustration surrounding Old Trafford turns into a much larger problem.
