Manchester United's season has got off to a disastrous start, and the pressure is on for Michael Carrick to turn things around

Two arrivals and two departures could give Michael Carrick a very different Manchester United defence to work with next season. The priority should be to bring in Lewis Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite for a combined £160million, with Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez making way.

That would leave Carrick able to field a back four of Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Branthwaite and Hall. Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire would offer experienced alternatives in the middle, while Ayden Heaven could continue his development.

United's miserable start to the 2026/27 campaign has made the case for defensive investment increasingly difficult to ignore. Just two months into the season, the optimism generated by last term's surprise third-place finish has faded. United are in the bottom half of the table and struggling in the Champions League, leaving Carrick under intense pressure only months after his permanent appointment.

The problems extend beyond just results. Captain Bruno Fernandes appeared to question Carrick's tactics after the midweek Champions League drubbing at Como. A week earlier, Martinez had criticised senior club figures for failing to strengthen the squad adequately over the summer.

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United signed Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, concentrating their recruitment on midfield after focusing on the attack the previous summer. That strategy has left the defence short of the improvements it needed, while problems persist going forward.

Left-back is the most obvious place to start. United entered the campaign relying on 31-year-old Luke Shaw as their first choice despite his long-standing fitness concerns. It is a gamble that has not paid off.

Signing Hall from Newcastle would be a solid starting point. The 22-year-old England international remains a primary target for director of football Jason Wilcox and Ineos, having been monitored by United in recent months. The Magpies told United he was unavailable in the summer, so securing him would require a substantial offer.

Hall was reportedly interested in moving to Manchester and remains keen, giving United reason to test Newcastle's resolve again in the next transfer window. Recent reports claim he could cost north of £80m.

Shaw could still feature for the rest of this season. Beyond that, United should look to sell him in the summer, recognising his 12 years of service while moving towards a more reliable long-term option. With 12 months left on his deal, a decision on his future is approaching.

The other major change should come on the left side of central defence. Lisandro Martinez was reportedly considering his departure even before his criticism of Wilcox and the club hierarchy.

Atletico Madrid were linked with him during the summer and interest from Spanish clubs remains. The 28-year-old favours La Liga, with United said to be weighing up whether to let him leave. His contract expires next year, though the club can trigger a 12-month extension to help secure a transfer fee.

Branthwaite, who TEAMtalk claim costs around £80m, is the obvious player to replace him. United are understood to be considering another approach for the Everton defender after having two bids worth up to £50m rejected in 2024.

Aged 24, the left-footed centre-back brings crucial Premier League experience and would seamlessly slot into United's new-look defence, accelerating their much-needed overhaul. His performances so far this season earned him a place in England’s recent Nations League squad, strengthening the argument for United to renew their interest.

Alongside him, Yoro is showing signs of progress despite his red card against Atletico Madrid. De Ligt remains a useful option when fit, while Maguire offers the leadership and professionalism that this unsettled dressing room needs.

United are expected to activate the extra year in the 33-year-old's contract, allowing him to help guide Yoro and Heaven. Keeping that experience would make sense while changing two other key positions.

Dalot and Mazraoui may not be outstanding options at right-back, but it is less urgent than the problems on the opposite flank and at centre-back. Hall and Branthwaite would address those priorities directly - and give Carrick a stronger platform from which to rebuild.