Why first 10 days of new season could tell us a lot about Man Utd

By

Manchester United reporter

Michael Carrick got on the front foot to dismiss the first of a couple of themes that have run though Manchester United's build-up to the new season.

'Ridiculous', was how Carrick assessed the feeling his side have been given a favourable start to the campaign.

A trip to play-off winners Hull is followed by an Old Trafford encounter with another newly promoted side in Ipswich.

"It's not favourable," said Carrick. "It's an easy thing to throw out there but it's pretty ridiculous.

"It's a tough start; both teams. I am not getting past Saturday. I'm fully aware of what's coming at us."

Carrick also addressed the other issue; the agitation among United's fanbase about a lack of further signings since Youri Tielemans' £35m move from Aston Villa was completed on 14 July.

Talks are continuing with Brighton over Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba but a deal is still to be agreed.

It is widely accepted relying on Luke Shaw, as the club's only orthodox left-back, to retain fitness as he did last season would be a huge gamble.

"We are looking to strengthen the squad," said Carrick. "We are certainly working towards that."

As it turns out, historically, United supporters really shouldn't be surprised at having to wait for transfer business to be concluded - and if they look back at past campaigns, they might be advised to temper expectations around early season results as well.

Only twice before in the Premier League era have Manchester United's opening two fixtures been against newly promoted sides.

On neither occasion did Sir Alex Ferguson's side begin with two victories.

They came from behind twice to beat Fulham in August 2001 but needed a late David Beckham equaliser to get a 2-2 draw at Blackburn.

Eight years later, despite reaching the Champions League final three months earlier, a single Wayne Rooney goal was all they could manage against Birmingham before they were beaten at Turf Moor by a Burnley side who came up through the playoffs, as Hull did last season.

The 2017-18 campaign under Jose Mourinho was the last time Manchester United started with successive victories; both 4-0 against West Ham and at Swansea.

Twelve months ago, former boss Ruben Amorim presided over a home defeat by Arsenal, and a draw at Fulham.

The nadir of recent seasons was in 2022-23, when a home defeat by Brighton was followed by a 4-0 loss at Brentford, triggering the transfer scramble that ended up with £150m being spent on Casemiro and Antony.

The Antony deal was completed on 1 September 2022 - transfer deadline day. It's part of a pattern.

Although many United fans had hoped their club would have completed their business early on this summer, the reality is it was highly unlikely.

For the past six seasons, at least one senior first-team player has arrived at Old Trafford as the transfer window was about to close.

Twelve months ago, United waited until deadline day before deciding Senne Lammens would - eventually - become their new number one goalkeeper instead of Emi Martinez, who Amorim wanted to bring in from Aston Villa.

In 2024, they paid PSG £50.8 to sign Manuel Ugarte on deadline day. The year before that, experienced pair Sergio Reguilon and Sofyan Amrabat came in on loan.

The £81.3m fee for Antony, now at Real Betis, is still the second biggest fee, behind Paul Pogba, United have ever paid.

A year before that was the deal that arguably made the biggest impact. The return of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021 was supposed to be the deadline-day deal that swept the club back to the top of the table. It failed spectacularly.

In 2020, Edinson Cavani also joined on a deadline day pushed back into October because of Covid-19.

The performances of those deadline day signings may suggest it is not a great time to buy players, but rather than get irritated by it happening, maybe, as we head towards the final week of the transfer window being open, Manchester United's fans should have expected that is how it would work out.

Given their recent history, until Carrick's side have got those first two fixtures out of the way, and the transfer window closes at 23:00 BST on 1 September, it may be wise to reserve judgement on realistic aspirations for what lies ahead.

For some, a repeat of last season's third place would represent a massive improvement given the extra fixtures they face this term - potentially 50% more than the 40-game 2025-26. For others, back-to-back Champions League qualifications is a major achievement to aim for.

However, others, while acknowledging 13 seasons have gone by without so much as a title challenge, let alone the title itself, feel a club of Manchester United's stature should be aiming high.

"It's going to be a jump," said Carrick. "It doesn't really matter whether I say we can or we can't - and I would never say we can't by the way; I don't believe that.

"It's about what we do, what we can do and what we are capable of doing as a group.

"The run of form from last season gives us a lot of confidence but we know there is a whole new step to make.

"It's exciting. We have the potential to achieve things - we will definitely give it everything we can. We have to believe we are a good team and can do good things."

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