Watch Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo return for Man Utd below as they return to the Premier League after heading to AFCON with their national side.
See below for Carrick’s XI in his first game in charge of United since replacing caretaker manager Darren Fletcher, who had in turn replaced the recently sacked Ruben Amorim…
Meet your derby day Reds ????
—Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 17, 2026
Manchester United’s team news leaves some big questions
Despite news coming out about the Manchester United team, it’s not entirely clear from the club’s graph in the X-post above which positions everyone will play.
The players are listed by number order rather than position, meaning it’s not entirely clear what the system is.
Carrick will likely have moved away from using three players at the back, as Amorim did, but it will still be tricky for the new MUFC boss to figure out how to get the best out of his players with some big names on the bench.
Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha will not start, so Mbeumo could play as a striker, while Patrick Dorgu and Amad Diallo could support him in the front three.
However, Dorgu and Diallo have also played at wing-back before, while Luke Shaw can be left-back or centre-back.
Kobbie Mainoo starts for Manchester United
A big positive for United fans will be the inclusion of Kobbie Mainoo from the start.
The England international has struggled for playing time under Amorim, but has been told by Carrick that he still has an important role this season.
With Mainoo reinstated into the starting XI today, it is clear that he could likely remain at Old Trafford until at least the summer, rather than seeking a move to gain more playing time.
#Manchester #United #team #news #Double #boost #Michael #Carrick #names