Squad depth, or the lack of it, has been a major concern following Manchester United’s defeat at home to Leeds United on Monday night, a 2-1 loss that highlighted just how limited Michael Carrick’s value is.
Remove a piece or two from Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, and everything seems to fall apart, while the use of just two substitutes highlights Carrick’s potential lack of faith in those on the fringes.
Even regular starters, such as Amad and Matheus Cunha, have been inconsistent, with the Ivorian still managing just two goals and two assists in the Premier League this season, while the £62.5m Brazilian has scored once in his last eight top-flight games.
|
All the goalscorers since Carrick’s return |
|
|---|---|
|
The player |
Goals |
|
Sesko |
5 |
|
Casemiro |
4 |
|
Fernandes |
3 |
|
Mbeumo |
3 |
|
Cunha |
3 |
|
Dorgu |
2 |
|
Your goal |
1 |
The Red Devils are boasting of a replacement for Bryan Mbeumo, although ahead of the 2025/26 campaign that could see the club return to Europe, the continuation of the fire seems to be more important.
Man Utd among Premier League clubs chasing £80m signing
After a summer in which Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund all left Old Trafford, United are perhaps starting to pay the price for a lack of options in that forward line.
Carrick’s side have now won one of their last four league games, with their last three goals courtesy of Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and James Hill’s goal away from Bournemouth.
Amad is yet to score in 2026, Mbeumo hasn’t scored since the win over Tottenham Hotspur, and Cunha’s only goal since early February came against Aston Villa, now behind Casemiro in the goalscoring charts.
With that in mind, it may be music to the ears of United fans to learn that, according to Ben Jacobs – writing in the GIVEMESPORT newsletter – Jason Wilcox and co are in the mix for Aston Villa striker Morgan Rogers.
According to Jacobs, the 23-year-old is ‘one way’ for the INEOS government, while Rogers was at Manchester City at the same time as Wilcox, while working under Carrick at Middlesbrough.
It is said to be ‘likely’ for the England man to leave Villa Park this summer, even if the move is not mandatory, as Jacobs believes the Midlands club could do business for £80m plus, as was his estimate last year.
Why Rogers will be better than Cunha
As the report notes, regardless of whether Carrick stays or leaves, a new left-back will be given ‘priority’, with Cunha the only current option in that role, following the loss of Patrick Dorgu due to injury.
Carrick should drop the Man Utd star who has fewer touches than Lammens and Sesko
Manchester United’s Champions League hopes suffered a setback on Monday evening.
Using Wilcox’s – and Carrick’s – link-up to get a deal over Rogers’ line would be the perfect solution, with the former West Bromwich Albion youngster mirroring Cunha as a versatile striker who can operate through the middle or on the left.
Operating as a roving number ten under Unai Emery, Rogers’ ability to drift and dribble down the left was on display against United back in December, slotting home twice in spectacular fashion after beating Leny Yoro.
With his powerful frame and ability to score from distance, it’s easy to see why the Three Lions star is an attractive target, with a prominent role at this summer’s World Cup likely to improve his form and rating.
According to England legend Glenn Hoddle, his style of play on the pitch is almost “Wayne Rooney-like” in his younger days, his ability to block defenders and dive forward from deep.
That comparison bodes well for the impact he can make at Old Trafford, and even Rogers’ recent dip is no cause for concern, despite scoring just one league goal in 2026.
His tally of eight goals and five assists in the top flight in total still ensures that he will represent Cunha’s development in that role, with the latter contributing seven goals and two assists.
Rogers’ tally of 18 goals in all competitions was bettered by Fernandes (26) back in Manchester.
This comes after a successful 2024/25 campaign that saw Rogers register 30 goals and assists in his first full season at Villa Park, deservedly winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award as a result – the same award Rooney won in his first two years at United.
What also sets Rogers apart is his creative quality, as well as being a top goalscorer, creating ten ‘big chances’ and 1.3 key passes per game this season.
In comparison, Cunha – who could be his rival in that side, should he join the Red Devils – created just five ‘big chances’, while averaging 1.0 key passes per game.
It has to be said that Cunha has had plenty of moments this season, but the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man needs to be careful – there is always a bigger fish.
New Rashford: Man Utd to open talks to sign “England’s Ousmane Dembele”
Manchester United are keen on a young England star.
