Michael Carrick faces a crucial challenge as he prepares for his first full season as manager of Manchester United. With a backline featuring Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, and Lisandro Martínez, the potential is evident, but Carrick harbors concerns about their reliability and fitness.

As the season approaches, Carrick must navigate the demands of competing in four tournaments: the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and the Champions League. Last season, he managed to elevate United from seventh to third place, but with only 20 games of experience, questions linger about his ability to maintain that success.

Key points of concern include:

• Yoro and Heaven, both under 20, need to transition from potential to consistent performance.
• Maguire, at 33, offers experience but lacks pace, raising doubts about his effectiveness.
• Martínez is battling injuries, and De Ligt has been sidelined since November due to a back injury, complicating defensive stability.

United's summer recruitment has been less aggressive compared to rivals like Manchester City and Chelsea, who made significant signings. With only five weeks left in the transfer window, the current defensive lineup raises questions about their readiness for the impending challenges.

As Carrick prepares to solidify his squad, the pressure mounts to ensure a robust defense that can withstand the rigors of the upcoming season.