Michael Owen Urges Michael Carrick to Fix Manchester United’s Defence
Manchester United have entered the first international break of the 2026-27 campaign on a three-game winless run, sitting 12th in the Premier League after taking only two points from their past three league matches.
Defensive concerns move to the front
United have failed to record a Premier League clean sheet in five attempts, intensifying scrutiny of a defence that was not reinforced in the most recent transfer window.
Midfield was the priority as the club looked to address life without Casemiro, but the current run has exposed problems at the back. Further recruitment will be possible in January, when full-backs and centre-backs could become key targets.
- United are 12th in the Premier League table.
- They have collected two points from the last nine available.
- No league clean sheet has been kept after five fixtures.
- The next transfer window opens in January.
Sesko still waiting for league start
Benjamin Sesko remains without a Premier League start this season despite being United’s only specialist centre-forward. The Slovenia international, now 23, arrived for £74 million ($98m) in the summer of 2025 and made a major impact from the bench during the latter part of his first campaign at Old Trafford.
That substitute role has continued under Carrick. Sesko has been selected from the outset only in Champions League and Carabao Cup matches so far, while Brazilian forward Cunha has regularly led the attack.
Cunha has been supported by Bryan Mbeumo and Marcus Rashford, with Rashford also able to move in from the left when required. United are currently resisting the urge to add another recognised No.9, although that position could still be reviewed in January.
Owen backs current attacking system
Former United striker Michael Owen believes the team can function without relying on a conventional central striker every week, pointing to title-winning sides that have used similar approaches.
Owen said United’s front line looks strong on paper and argued that the club’s attacking rebuild has already been largely completed. He noted the contrast between the failure to score against Manchester City and the five-goal display against Ipswich, while stressing that the Ipswich defence presented a very different challenge.
He also highlighted the game-changing options available from the bench and said the next major squad work should be concentrated on midfield and, above all, defence.
January decision awaits
United’s attacking shape will face further examination over the coming months. Cunha has not consistently been a prolific scorer during his career, while Sesko has yet to fully establish himself as the club’s leading striker.
The club once had exceptional depth up front, with Sir Alex Ferguson able to call on Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the 1999 Treble-winning season. Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney later led the line at Old Trafford.
For now, United will assess whether their current attacking group can deliver while the more urgent focus turns towards stopping goals at the other end.
