Sport

Manchester United’s Defence Is a Major Concern

An opening weekend fixture against a promoted team was meant to be a favourable way for Manchester United to start the 2026/27 season. Instead, it became their worst nightmare as Michael Carrick’s side suffered a dismal 2-0 defeat to Hull City in a game that brutally exposed their shortcomings.

Hull deserved their victory. They outfought the illustrious visitors to the MKM Stadium, going 2-0 up after 38 minutes and never looking back. Carrick made changes off the bench, but the game proved to be too much for Manchester United who conceded both goals from set piece situations.

The majority of Manchester United’s summer business has focused on the midfield. In fact, all three of the deals they have completed so far have been for midfielders with Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans arriving at Old Trafford to bolster Carrick’s options in the centre of the pitch.

This was required after the departure of Casemiro at the end of last season. Even before the Brazilian left, it was clear United needed more depth in the central midfield area. They now have that with Baleba widely expected to complete his £70m transfer from Brighton before Sunday’s home match against Ipswich Town.

Saturday’s opener against Hull, however, raised the prospect that Manchester United will pay the price for not improving their defence. The visitors were shaky at the back despite Senne Lammens’ best efforts to keep the ball out of his net. Stronger opponents will surely expose United’s defensive vulnerabilities even more brutally.

Lewis Hall has been mentioned as a potential target. Luke Shaw can’t be counted on to play two games a week, as Manchester United will be required to do many times this season after qualifying for the Champions League, and so Hall would be a good addition with this in mind. So far, though, Newcastle United have dug their heels in, determined not to lose another key player this summer.

Another left back could arrive before the summer transfer window closes, but Carrick should be concerned by the condition of his central defensive unit too. While Harry Maguire was resurgent in the second half of last season, he was all over the place against Hull City. Oli McBurnie bullied him. Ayden Heaven wasn’t much better alongside Maguire.

At right back, Noussair Mazroui struggled on both sides of the ball with Ryan Giles and Elliot Stroud rampant. Diogo Dalot was introduced off the bench for the final 10 minutes, but the damage had already been done by then. It was a collective performance that hinted Manchester United might not have the foundation to enjoy a successful season.

“The result’s the result,” said Carrick afterwards. “We got beat, we’re hurt and it’s not a nice feeling. It doesn’t mean it’s going to change the whole direction of how we’re going as a team or as a football club. It’s one game and results can happen in football, we all understand that. It’s not nice when they do, but it does happen.”

Carrick is right to remain calm. Nothing is decided on the opening weekend of the season and there is enough evidence from last season to suggest Manchester United will improve from this point on. Their new signings haven’t had time to bed in and some key players, like Benjamin Sesko, are still finding fitness.

Nonetheless, the result and performance away to Hull City must be a warning. There is still one week of the summer transfer window remaining and Manchester United might have no choice but to shift focus to address some of the issues that emerged on opening weekend. Their defence simply isn’t good enough.