SpotlightSky SportsUnverified source· 19 Aug 2026
Man Utd's £219.7m defence may still start same as 2022
Eight defenders signed for £219.7m, yet the same back four could line up again this weekend.
Manchester United
team
Spending
£219.7m on eight defenders since 2022
Quartet
Martinez, Maguire, Shaw, Dalot
Together
Only 10 times in four years
Carrick
Used same back four in six of 17 league games
What happened. Manchester United's starting back four for the opening weekend could be the same as in 2022, despite heavy investment in defence.
- The quartet lost their first two games together, including 4-0 to Brentford.
- Injuries have disrupted Martinez, Shaw, and Maguire over the years.
- Carrick has favoured this back line recently, using it six times last season.
United face Hull City on Saturday, and Carrick may stick with the familiar back four.
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