Manchester United

Eli Junior Kroupi, Igor Thiago and Nico O'Reilly were among the breakout stars who made their mark on the Premier League last season - but who will be next?

BBC Sport's TV and radio commentators have picked 13 players they believe are worth watching out for over the next few months.

Manchester United's Shea Lacey is on the list...

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Name: Shea Lacey Age: 19 Position: Forward Country: England

Steve Bower: At Manchester United, everyone is talking about JJ Gabriel, who is so good he is a freak of nature - but he is just 15, so we might only see him occasionally in the Carabao Cup this season.

A few years ahead of him, but still only 19, is Shea Lacey, who has overcome some early injury problems and has figured prominently in pre-season.

Lacey is an exciting wide player - exactly the type that United fans like - and is also very well known to Michael Carrick, not only with his coaching head on but also his parental one, from watching his son Jacey over the years in United's academy.

I watched Lacey play against Burnley in United's first game under Darren Fletcher, another coach who knows him well, when he took temporary charge last season.

A lifelong United fan, he was a whisker away from scoring in that game at Turf Moor and I see him being involved in the first-team squad a lot this season.

He is fearless, and it doesn't look like the shirt or any expectation will weigh heavily on him. United fans are going to enjoy seeing a lot more of him this season, with Carrick keen to give him as many opportunities as possible.

Find the full list of possible breakout stars here

Fancy testing your football prediction skills? With the new season under way, BBC Sport has just the thing to keep you entertained every week.

After the success of our World Cup Predictor game, we've rebranded it for the club season as Match of the Day Predictor.

It's simple to play - just predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

And don't worry if you've joined late - players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Once you've submitted your predictions, you'll also be able to see what others think the outcome of the match will be.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or click here to play

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We asked for your views on Manchester United heading into the new season and whether more reinforcements are needed.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: We have not increased our depth in midfield, only replaced what we have lost (Casemiro/Ugarte). We have woefully inadequate cover for injuries and our lone striker has not figured since the end of last season. All of Carrick's great work of last year will be lost if we do not support him better and give him adequate tools to complete his task. It will be the hope that kills us.

Nigel: I am concerned with United's lack of urgency in the transfer market. However, if the hierarchy is reluctant to sanction funds to bring players in, then Carrick will have to turn to our talented academy players. Some might think this is not a good idea but can I remind you of the famous Alan Hansen comment, "you won't win anything playing kids"? Look how that turned out. Give them a chance.

Robert: It has to be either that United don't know what they are doing or we just don't have any cash to spend. Our squad is so thin - how can anyone expect us to compete on all fronts? Sixth place at best this season, if we are lucky.

Daniel: Yes, United need more reinforcements. But after another left-back (given the hierarchy doesn't seem to rate Amass), the priority must be a striker rather than another midfielder. We have four midfielders - more if you include the younger players like the Fletchers - but only one striker, who won't be able to play every minute of every game. I love Cunha and Mbeumo but they're better out wide. We need another number nine.

Stefan: A full-back who can fill in at either side would be ideal, although I'd love to see Harry Amass given the chance to compete with Shaw, instead of being sent out on loan. A player like Ward-Prowse could increase the squad size and ability, without compromising on talent or experience.

Pete: We need a left-back as a matter of urgency. Not as a back-up but to replace Shaw. If we don't, we will never make top four.

Tom: The squad is 80% there now. I think we have a strong starting team and a respectable bench. The issue is we're an injury or two away from having to go to a tough Champions League away game looking very thin on the ground, especially if Luke Shaw is one of those injured.

Daniel: Biggest issue is United have not found a box-to-box midfielder. Mainoo can't do it alone. I recommend they go out and buy one. Otherwise it's going to be a long season.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Mason Mount was missing from Manchester United training this morning, sparking fears he will not be fit for the Premier League opener at Hull on Saturday.

Mount was arguably United's player of the first three games of their pre-season campaign and his partnership with new signing Andrey Santos looked like being productive.

It had been suggested the England international could be the 'third' midfielder the club had been looking for this summer, following the arrivals of Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.

However, he took a blow on the foot in the early stages of the encounter with PSG in Gothenburg on 8 August and had to be substituted.

United said Mount had come off as a precaution and the former Chelsea man was walking freely when he left the stadium.

He was not involved in the final two games of pre-season, against Leeds and AC Milan though and was missing when cameras were allowed into Carrington on Tuesday morning to film the first 15 minutes of the session.

Head Coach Michael Carrick is likely to be asked about the situation when he speaks to the media on Thursday afternoon before the trip to Hull.

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Ruben Amorim jokingly made the point on Saturday that Manchester United's news conferences are "more boring" now he has left the club.

That is certainly true.

Michael Carrick is simply not willing to court headlines in the same way as Amorim. He is more protective of his players and the harmony he is trying to build at Old Trafford, and knows demands for new players can imply a lack of trust or belief in those he has - and needs.

That is why his "we want more, we need more" statement to the broadcast media last Thursday was so significant.

It is as far as Carrick is likely to go in demanding new players.

There are a lot of talented youngsters in the United squad, but they can't be expected to do the job of seasoned professionals.

It is clear they need competition for Luke Shaw at left-back and also a reinforcement in midfield. Carrick did superbly last season by qualifying for the Champions League. Now Manchester United's hierarchy need to help him.

What are your thoughts heading into the season? Do United need more reinforcements?

Get in touch with your views here

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The Devils' Advocate podcast co-host Joe McGrath says Harry Maguire is going to be "a big player" for Manchester United this coming season.

The 33-year-old defender signed a new one-year contract with United in April, with the option to extend for a further year.

Maguire has enjoyed a revival under Michael Carrick, starting all 10 matches since his appointment in mid-January.

After being appointed skipper by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just five months after this £80m arrival from Leicester City in 2019, Maguire fell out of favour under Erik ten Hag and was stripped of the captaincy in July 2023. Shortly afterwards, a deal was agreed for a move to West Ham but he decided to stay at Old Trafford.

"He's going to be a big player for us this season," McGrath said on the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devil's Advocate podcast.

"As a former captain, he has a great sense of leadership in the dressing room. Even though he isn't captain, you can still see he rallies players around him.

"There is a young squad there at United that needs someone like Maguire to look up to. Possibly that has been what we've been missing - those experienced players who have been there and done big games, and can guide those youngsters too.

"I am hoping that is the sort of role he plays. He's always well measured and he speaks about big situations."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign Spain midfielder Marc Casado, 22, who Barcelona have put up for sale. (Sport - in Spanish), external

Despite United's reluctance to sell, Galatasaray have offered Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes £18.3m per season - double his current salary - to tempt him away from Old Trafford. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.

While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.

Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.

But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).

The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.

While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.

Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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There are a lot of positives for Michael Carrick to take from a pre-season of five weeks and six games.

Two wins, two draws and two defeats might look average, but the benefits are clear.

There is huge potential in midfielder Andrey Santos for a start. One of three players - Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven were the others - to start every game, the 22-year-old, £48m summer arrival from Chelsea impressed with his ability to rotate the ball, his positional discipline and communication.

Like Carrick himself, there is an assurance about Manchester United's other major signing, Youri Tielemans, that should spread through the team. There are already signs his link-up with skipper Bruno Fernandes could prove productive.

It was the energised and impactful version of Bryan Mbeumo from the first half of last season that has been on view, rather than the tired one that returned from Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Heaven impressed in defence - Leny Yoro also, particularly at right-back. Amad Diallo did well in flashes when he returned from World Cup duty. The same is true of Shea Lacey, the 19-year-old academy star who clearly needs to be eased in gradually, but of whom so much is expected.

But there are issues.

Neither striker Benjamin Sesko nor new goalkeeper Karl Darlow featured. Mason Mount, arguably the best player across the first three matches, was not involved again after being taken off as a "precaution" following a blow to his foot early in the game against Paris St-Germain on 8 August.

Some players in Carrick's squad in Poland this weekend are surplus to requirements.

Midfielder Toby Collyer filled in for Mount, but his future lies elsewhere and club officials feel interest in him should be high.

Full-back Harry Amass was back-up to Luke Shaw, but the intention for him is also to leave, with sources feeling a loan is more likely than a permanent exit.

Of the more experienced members of Carrick's squad, Joshua Zirkzee is hugely popular and has ability. However, he lacks consistency, or an obvious position in the squad, and Lacey was used ahead of him in the number 10 role at times.

If interest from Italy stacks up financially, it would seem to make sense for the former Bologna man to return to Serie A.

Read more on the learnings from United's summer

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It is thought Galatasaray had a deal they were intending to put to Manchester United for Bruno Fernandes, which would reach a final fee of 50m euros (£42.7m).

However, the message from senior sources at Old Trafford is that the Turkish club would be wasting their time. They say, as yet, there have been no bids for the 31-year-old, but added he is not for sale at any price.

Although last summer they told Fernandes it was his call whether to accept the mammoth offer put to him by Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal, with the Portuguese later admitting he felt "hurt" by that stance, this time around United have made their position clear.

Fernandes has one year left on his current deal, with an option for an additional season. A £57m release clause has now expired.

It is known he would prefer to stay. So far, there has been no agreement over an extension.

While United are in a strong negotiating position, the enthusiastic reception for Fernandes in Dublin for last week's pre-season encounter with Leeds United would have left the club in no doubt that fans would react badly if it was not clear they are doing everything possible to keep their talisman.

A new episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast is available to listen to and download now on BBC Sounds.

Hosts Joe and Gaz give their predictions for the 2026-27 season and analyse the Reds' pre-season.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Manchester United content on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United defender Harry Maguire says he hopes Marcus Rashford will stay at Old Trafford because he can improve the team.

Rashford came on as a second-half substitute in his first game for United since December 2024 in the 4-2 pre-season defeat by AC Milan in Wroclaw.

He produced one moment of skill by the corner flag and also came close to scoring after being given the number nine shirt by Michael Carrick.

United officials have stressed the number is not regarded as permanent on a day when striker Benjamin Sesko - who had been expected to take the nine shirt this season - was not available through injury.

However, even that underlines the uncertainty around Rashford's future before the 1 September transfer deadline.

Carrick could not say last week whether the England forward will stay, and Maguire is equally unsure of his team-mate's future. However, he wants him to remain at Old Trafford.

"Obviously the transfer window is still open," said Maguire.

"As players, we hope he stays because if he does, he is a big asset to have. He can improve us for sure.

"You saw when he came on, he threatened the backline really well. He could have scored. He's a huge threat.

"I've played with Marcus for numerous years and I know that playing against him and playing with him in training is going to help us."

The disappointment was Rashford's return coincided with what Maguire accepted was Manchester United's "worst" pre-season performance, a week before their Premier League opener at Hull.

"We're wanting to play much further up the pitch, be more aggressive and more on the front foot," said Maguire.

"This was the only game where I didn't feel we did ourselves justice in that aspect. We had a lot of high regains and created a lot of chances from that, but we didn't sustain our pressure anywhere close to enough."

In a long, five-week, six-match pre-season, Maguire took on the captain's duties in the early games, when Fernandes was missing. That is an indicator he could be the vice-captain this season, although that is yet to be confirmed.

• Read more from Simon

Manchester United are stepping up their efforts to cash in on their academy, with English left-back Harry Amass, 19, potentially a player that could move on for about £7m plus add-ons. (Mail - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Once they are into the meat of the season, few at Old Trafford will remember Saturday's pre-season defeat by AC Milan.

However, depending on how the situation unfolds before the transfer window closes on 1 September, it could be very significant in one way.

With an hour gone, Marcus Rashford was introduced by Michael Carrick as one of six substitutes.

It was his first appearance for his boyhood club since Viktoria Plzen away in the Europa League on 12 December 2024, after which he was effectively banished by Amorim and loaned out, first to Aston Villa and then Barcelona, from where he was not expected to return.

Carrick had enough opportunities when he spoke to UK media in Maynooth on Thursday to say so if it was certain Rashford will be staying beyond this month.

United officials were quick to make it known the number nine shirt Rashford wore in Poland was not permanent, to stave off any complaints from those tempted to buy one.

The 28-year-old looked relaxed enough throughout.

When he was sent out for his first warm-up during the game, he applauded the positive reception he got from United supporters in the corner he was running towards. Although, within seconds, Samuel Chukwueze was tapping home AC Milan's first equaliser at the same end of the pitch.

Rashford was out later than most of his fellow substitutes for a second-half warm-up, but he still had time for a couple of passing tricks with Martinez – a World Cup semi-final rival a month ago.

Once the England attacker came on, it was noticeable he stayed wider than Patrick Dorgu, the man he replaced on the left. For the record, Dorgu and Harry Maguire were United's men on the scoresheet in this latest tune-up.

Rashford's first run ended with him conceding a foul, but it wasn't long before a brilliant piece of play by the corner flag took him past an opponent.

Not surprisingly, that brought many in the crowd to their feet.

As reintroductions go, it was solid, not spectacular. But it didn't need to be anything more.

Premier League games at Hull and against Ipswich will offer a greater insight into Carrick's thinking. The transfer deadline will bring permanence to what remains an uncertain situation.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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This was a pre-season finale to forget for Manchester United.

Just a week away from their Premier League opener at promoted Hull City on Saturday, Michael Carrick's men took the lead twice against AC Milan before finishing on the wrong end of a 4-2 beating.

First, the positives.

Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez all made their first appearances of pre-season. Skipper Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans played for the full 90 minutes.

From the looks of it, there are no fresh injury concerns for Michael Carrick at the end of a six-match pre-season that has been largely positive, albeit with a foot issue for Mason Mount in Gothenburg seven days ago that was initially shrugged off as a precaution but has now kept the in-form midfielder out for almost three full games.

The problem, whether in pre-season or when the campaign proper begins, is that results shape narratives. And losing 4-2 in Wroclaw to a Milan side led by former United boss Ruben Amorim is not a good look.

Three of the four Milan goals were close-range efforts. Those with the benefit of replays – there was no VAR in operation in Wroclaw – felt one of them was offside.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek rounded things off by racing beyond Martinez and not getting caught before he drove a shot past Senne Lammens, without whom the overall damage would have been worse.

Manchester United seemed to have a particular issue when AC Milan switched play to the right as Luke Shaw, who also played for the full game, had too much space to cover to get to the wing and not enough support.

The gaps between defence and midfield were not big, but they were not covered adequately by United. After an eye-catching first five games this summer, this was also a day when recent signing Andrey Santos' inexperience was exposed.

Such matters will give Carrick something to think about on the flight back to Manchester as he assesses how best to go about starting the Premier League campaign.

"We are disappointed with today," Carrick told MUTV afterwards. "We didn't play very well. There are no excuses."