Manchester United is one team that has struggled to maintain their form in the 2025/2026 season. One of the reasons why they have struggled is due to their positions in the team not being filled up by the needed players. It is either the main players in these positions are not available or they have struggled with injuries. As such, the team has struggled without these needed players in these positions.
This post will cover at least 4 positions that Manchester United should strengthen to compete for major titles. Let’s get started with it already.
4 Positions That Manchester United Should Strengthen To Compete
Here are 4 positions that Manchester United should strengthen to compete for major titles:
1. Defensive Midfield
In all honesty, Manchester United’s midfield this season has lacked a consistently defensive midfielder. This is one area that has lacked a regular starter which has caused other players like Bruno Fernandes to exhibit reduced performance due to the fact that he has to regularly cover up that area. As a result, it has caused a lack of flow in Manchester United’s attack.
Even recently, new interim manager Michael Carrick has tried tactics such as 4-2-3-1 with a two-man pivot that still look rather than a long-term defensive midfield solution. So far, several players have been used to cover up these positions. For example, Casemiro has been used. However, age had really affected his performance and mobility.
In addition, Manuel Ugarte also offers energy but has struggled with consistency in controlling games on his own. On the other hand, Kobbie Mainoo has been restricted to only play a few minutes in that position and has only rediscovered his form.under Carrick.
Due to the gap left by Manchester United’s defensive midfield, their midfield has been overrun in important matches. As a result, this has led to them having poor control especially when the opposing team carries out a compact formation. Also, as stated earlier, the function of the defensive midfielders has also been dulled due to the unbalanced nature of the midfield.
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2. Left Back
If you’re a core Manchester United fan, you’ll agree that even before 2025/26 kicked off, Manchester United have always lacked a left back player. In fact, a popular pundit made a famous statement stating that Manchester United have effectively had no reliable left-back for the past two seasons which is due to injuries to players or even inconsistent replacements.
For example, Luke Shaw is Manchester United best left back but has missed most of the 2025/2026 season due to injuries. Also, Tyrell Malacia who came in as a future prospect has struggled with long term injuries and has been less effective. Almost the same can be said to Diogi Dalot and Patrick Dorgu.
It is because of this instability that is why opposition teams have succeeded in targeting the left side of Manchester United defence whenever they are faced with attack. In addition, Manchester United have lacked consistent delivery from the left flank in transitions.
Without a specialist left back for Manchester United, tactical plans like wing-back systems have failed to deliver expected width and defensive support which has forced the managers who have coached them to improvise.
3. Centre Back
You’ll agree that Manchester United’s centre-back department has been another source of concern this season. This season has seen them suffer with inconsistency due to injuries and rotation from the coaches.
So far, we’ve seen players like Lisandro Martínez suffer due to injuries. On the other hand, Matthijs de Ligt has also suffered the same fate which has limited Manchester United capabilities. Only Harry Maguire has been able to leave up to the billings this season. All the other center backs suffer the same fate.
Injuries have forced frequent reshuffles even to the point of forcing less experienced players or players who are not natural center backs into the back line. It is important that Manchester United build on their defense. The reason for this is because success is built on a rock solid defense and not on attack only.
4. Centre Forward
In the 2025/2026 season so far, Manchester United’s attacking output this season has been inconsistent. In fact, several football analysts have regularly flagged the need for a proven centre forward for Manchester United who can come in to score goals.
Well, this season, Manchester United primary center forwards are Zirkzee and Mbuemo. However, these players haven’t really been strikers who score goals consistently this season.
In addition, Manchester United’s sale of Marcus Rashford is proving like a mistake for the team. The reason for this is due to the fact that Marcus Rashford was the proven goal scorer for the team and now has taken that ability elsewhere in Barcelona.
Well, Manchester United have suffered from this in recent times. We’ve seen how Manchester United have sometimes looked too reliant on wingers like Amad Diallo to score goals rather than the center forward. Also, the lack of a focal point in attack makes Manchester United very predictable.
Conclusion
Manchester United have been recognized to be one of the best teams in history. They were known to compete seriously for titles in England and in Europe. However, their decisions in the transfer window have so far watered down that perception. As a result, they have gradually turned to a mid table team rather than a top team even in England. Well, Manchester United could redeem themselves by making good decisions in the transfer window. That would begin by strengthening these positions aforementioned above. Once that has been accomplished, then they can compete.