Manchester United’s partnership is set to surpass that of title-winners Arsenal.
Man United have suffered injury problems in defense this season, and the partnership that ends the 2026/27 campaign could look very different to the one that started.
Manchester United will go with five central defenders next season, but the pecking order could change dramatically at the end of the year in a campaign that will give them all opportunities.
United ended the season with Harry Maguire and Lesandro Martinez forming the preferred partnership of Michael Carrick. They started together when fit and offered a good combination of right-footed and left-footed, dribbler and passer, strong in the air and combative on deck.
But it’s easy to see that partnership breaking down at some point next season. Maguire is now 33 and Martinez has struggled with injury problems, never appearing in more than 27 Premier League games during his four-year spell at Old Trafford.
And it’s easy to forget that Matthijs de Ligt was the standout player in the early weeks of this season. He played every minute of the Premier League season until the end of November and then failed to overcome a back injury which ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.
De Ligt underwent surgery to correct the problem and although he will not be fit for the start of the season, he will be aiming for a place in the side when he returns to full training at Carrington.
Then there are the two youngsters and it will be worth watching their development as the season progresses. Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven started three games together last season, but United did not win any of them; both are regarded as exciting talents at Carrington.
Indeed, Euro, 20, and Heaven, 19, are so highly rated that Maguire, who has been a mentor to both of them, has told club staff they could be United’s own version of Arsenal’s title-winning central defensive partnership of Willem Saliba and Gabriel.
The pair have been the bedrock of Arsenal’s domestic success and arguably stand as the best partnership in the league. Maguire’s belief in the long-term potential of the Euro and Paradise is telling.
Maguire signed a new one-year contract with the option of a further year in April, and, as was the case last season, his end at Old Trafford is clearly imminent. Martinez’s contract situation remains the same, with 12 months remaining and a one-year option. He has fitness concerns about getting an extension and will turn 29 in the middle of next season.
De Litt also has to prove his form and fitness again. It seems inevitable that at least one of De Ligt, Martinez and Maguire will leave Old Trafford next summer, so there is a path to the Euros and heaven.
They also have a right foot to left foot balance and should have attributes that indicate they will make a good partnership. He has already made a connection off the pitch.
Heavens overcame a sticky spell to finish the season well and was superb in the win at Chelsea, but the Euros haven’t started last term as expected. United beat Real Madrid to his £52million signing in 2024, and although he is still young for a central defender, he will target a place in the strongest XI by the end of next season.
It certainly feels like there will be spots in this defence next season. Maguire and Martinez currently hold the shirts, but their grip will loosen and De Ligt, Yoro and Heaven will have chances to impress.
