Manchester United's New Era Under Michael Carrick Begins at Hull City

Manchester United’s new era under Michael Carrick starts for real on Saturday lunchtime, away to newly promoted Hull City, with expectation already running high.

Carrick, now heading into his first full season as permanent manager, steered United to third place last term and back into the Champions League after a three-year absence. That achievement has reset the bar. A trip to a side fresh from the Championship is no gentle warm-up; it is a stage on which United are expected to announce themselves all over again.

The schedule is unforgiving. Champions League football returns, the pressure rises, and any early slip will be seized upon. Carrick knows it. His team selection reflects it.

Carrick’s selection puzzle

United travel without key defensive signing Matthijs de Ligt, who is still sidelined by a lower back issue, while Manuel Ugarte’s knee injury is likely to rule him out for much of the campaign. Veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton also misses out.

Mason Mount is a major doubt after a foot injury sustained in the 1–1 pre-season draw with PSG. He faces a late fitness test that could decide whether he features at all. Benjamin Seško, back in full training after a shin problem, is in a similar position: close, but not guaranteed, to make the squad.

In midfield, the rebuild begins in earnest. Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos are both in line for competitive debuts at the heart of Carrick’s 4-2-3-1. Santos, a £50m arrival from Chelsea, played in all six of United’s pre-season friendlies and has looked sharp enough to command a starting place. Tielemans joined up later after helping Belgium reach the World Cup quarter-finals, but he banked a full 90 minutes in the final tune-up against AC Milan and is ready to go.

Behind them, Ayden Heaven is set for a significant role alongside Harry Maguire at centre-back. Lisandro Martínez managed only around half an hour of pre-season action and is expected to start on the bench, with Kobbie Mainoo also among the substitutes. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw should continue in the full-back roles, offering width and a steady supply line from deep.

New-look attack, same old responsibility

Up front, the attacking shape feels familiar, but the personnel carry a different edge. Bryan Mbeumo is poised to lead the line after an eye-catching pre-season. With Seško not yet fully ready, the former Brentford forward has the chance to stake an early claim as Carrick’s first-choice striker.

Either side of captain Bruno Fernandes, who keeps his influential number ten position, Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha are expected to provide the width. Diallo’s direct running and Cunha’s versatility give United options between the lines, while Fernandes remains the creative heartbeat, tasked with knitting it all together and setting the tempo.

Senne Lammens continues in goal, another sign of Carrick’s willingness to trust those who impressed over the summer.

Put it all together and United’s likely XI at Hull looks like this:

Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Tielemans, Santos; Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.

Stage, time, and spotlight

Kick-off at Hull City comes at 12:30 BST on Saturday, 22 August 2026, with the match broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and HBO Max.

A newly promoted opponent. A lunchtime television slot. A manager beginning his first full campaign with Champions League football back on the horizon.

For Manchester United and Michael Carrick, this is not just an opening fixture. It is an early verdict on where this project is really heading.