Since the summer of 2022 Manchester United have splashed out roughly £219.7 million on eight new defenders, yet the quartet that could start the opening match this weekend may be identical to the one that took the field on the first day of the campaign four years ago. On 7 August 2022, Erik ten Hag deployed a back four consisting of the newly‑signed Argentine centre‑back Lisandro Martínez (bought for £56.7 million), the long‑time stalwart Harry Maguire, the left‑back Luke Shaw and the right‑back Diogo Dalot.
That line‑up suffered a 2‑1 defeat to Brighton. Fast‑forward to 2026 and, in six of Michael Carrick’s 17 Premier League fixtures, the same four names have again been selected, and they could line up once more against Hull City on Saturday.
Despite the constant churn of personnel at Old Trafford, those four players have remained a constant, albeit an inconsistent one. Over the past four seasons they have only managed to start together ten times, and even then just six of those matches have taken place under Carrick’s stewardship.
Their limited chemistry can be traced to a series of injuries, suspensions and tactical reshuffles that have repeatedly broken up the unit. The first two games the quartet played together ended in disappointment – a 4‑0 drubbing at the hands of Brentford was a particularly painful blow.
They would not feature side‑by‑side again until 30 October 2022, when United edged West Ham 1‑0. In the intervening period, other defenders such as Tyrell Malacia (signed in the summer of 2022), Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelöf were rotated in, often paired with two of the regular four.
Maguire, especially early in the 2022/23 season, found himself on the bench and missed a month after a hamstring problem. Both Martínez and Dalot also suffered injury spells that season, although Dalot’s fitness record has been comparatively steadier.
Martínez’s injury woes have been more severe. The Argentine spent the first half of the 2023/24 campaign nursing a foot problem before suffering a ruptured ACL in February 2025.
He only returned to action in November after a nine‑month lay‑off. Shaw’s situation has been similar; the left‑back has been in and out of the squad with a variety of niggles, managing just 27 appearances across all competitions in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons combined. The summer of 2024 saw a further overhaul of the defensive roster: Varane and Aaron Wan‑Bissaka departed, while Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt arrived, followed by two January 2025 signings – Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu.
Yet despite the influx of talent, a clear first‑choice back four never truly materialised, a problem compounded by a mid‑season managerial change. Ten Hag left in October 2024 and was replaced by Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim, who lasted only 14 months.
During his tenure he never fielded the Martínez‑Maguire‑Shaw‑Dalot combination, favouring a 3‑4‑3 system that often left the defence exposed. Amorim eventually relented in December 2025, deploying a traditional back four against Newcastle and securing a clean sheet – the first for United since early October. However, his tenure ended barely two weeks later, and Carrick returned to the helm. In his first match back, Carrick reinstated Martínez, Maguire, Shaw and Dalot as the starting defence, a line‑up that helped United beat city rivals Manchester City 2‑0.
Carrick has since used that same quartet five more times, achieving five wins and one draw, though only two of those games produced clean sheets and three were narrow 3‑2 victories, highlighting lingering defensive frailties. De Ligt’s long‑term back injury, which has kept him out since November 2025, further limits Carrick’s options. Although the Dutch centre‑back rejoined first‑team training this week, he has not been available for selection. Meanwhile, no major defensive reinforcements have arrived since Dorgu’s signing 18 months ago.
Malacia left in the most recent summer window, and Lindelöf and Jonny Evans departed the previous year. If Carrick wishes to maintain his current approach, he may soon need to explore the market again. Since Carrick’s arrival, United have generally defended deep, staying compact and forcing opponents to break them down in their own half.
Pre‑season, however, suggested a shift toward a higher‑line, high‑pressing style aimed at winning the ball quickly after losing possession. This new approach exposed the back line against Amorim’s Milan side, where a high‑line mistake led to a fourth goal after a simple pass over the defence.
The scenario underscored United’s urgent need for a reliable left‑back; Shaw’s age (over 30) and injury record make him a less sustainable option as the fixture list grows with European commitments. Fans are eager to see Dorgu feature in that role, but he has primarily been utilised as a left winger under Carrick. Adding a dedicated left‑back could provide the pace and recovery time required when the high‑press leaves the defence vulnerable.
Age is another factor: Maguire and Shaw are both past the 30‑year mark, while Martínez (28) and Dalot (27) are in their prime but must adapt to yet another tactical evolution. Whether United can keep relying on this aging core or must inject fresh talent will be a key question as the new season unfolds. In summary, despite a whirlwind of transfers, managerial changes and tactical experiments, Manchester United’s defensive core remains eerily familiar.
Four years after that opening‑day loss to Brighton, the same quartet of Martínez, Maguire, Shaw and Dalot still represents a viable option for Carrick, though the longevity of that arrangement remains uncertain.