Manchester United's limited signings could actually help stabilize their title challenge? Three players return from injury, while Martinez's comeback is delayed by one day.

Almost all of Manchester United's players were in Dublin, Ireland, on Sunday, except for Argentine center-back Lisandro Martínez. This absence is not because of a serious thigh muscle injury from the World Cup final, but rather because he played against Spain's national team and received an additional day of rest. Martínez is set to join the training camp this week as they gear up for the new Premier League campaign, which kicks off on August 22nd.

For head coach Carrick, the team's injury situation is generally positive. According to British media, Martínez, who was injured during the World Cup, along with Kobbie Mainoo, and also Kounia and Sena Lamen, who missed the previous friendly due to injuries, have all recovered and are fit again.

Kounia, Mainoo, and Lamen arrived in Dublin on Sunday to join the rest of the squad for the final pre-season training camp. Rashford also traveled with them, and Carrick made it clear that his former teammate will rejoin the team's training sessions after a two-year absence.

Manchester United officially confirmed that De Ligt, Sesko, new goalkeeper Karl Darlow, and youngsters Gabriel and Tylan Thompson will all take part in the training camp in Dublin. Among them, Sesko and Darlow were unable to play in previous matches due to last season's injuries, but the club believes they could return to action by the start of the new season.

Only Dutch center-back De Ligt, who will turn 27 this week, is certain to miss United's opening game of the new season. He underwent back surgery in the summer and is still recovering, with a return to the pitch expected no earlier than autumn.

Before the Premier League opener away at Hull City, United have two more pre-season friendlies. In the early hours of Thursday (2:30 AM) in Dublin, they face Premier League rivals Leeds United. Lamen and Kounia are available for that match, while Rashford, Mainoo, and Martínez have had insufficient training time and are expected to feature only in the final friendly against AC Milan on Saturday evening. Interestingly, Rashford and Mainoo will face former Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim, who once discarded them, in their first match.

According to data from "Polymarket" released by Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United are the fourth most likely team to win the 2026/27 Premier League title, behind Arsenal and Manchester City, and tied with Liverpool. Arsenal lead with a 37% probability, Manchester City are second at 30%, while United and Liverpool both stand at 12%.

The Athletic reports that, by Premier League standards, Manchester United's summer transfer window has been relatively quiet. However, after more than a decade of significant squad upheaval, this might actually be a good thing. A period of stability could give Carrick and his players more breathing room and lay the foundation for long-term development.

In the summer of 2006, Carrick joined from Tottenham Hotspur as the only major new signing under Sir Alex Ferguson. Few believed that United could challenge José Mourinho's defending champions Chelsea and Arsène Wenger's Arsenal, but it was the Red Devils who ultimately won the title.

Having a stable core squad will help Carrick further develop the tactical system he wants for Manchester United, improve the abilities and chemistry of existing players, and gradually enhance team cohesion and morale.

However, this does not mean United should remain completely inactive in the final three weeks of the transfer window. The team still needs greater squad depth. This summer, transfer fees have soared to astonishing levels, with top players priced at nearly £100 million. In such circumstances, United's cautious approach is financially sound, and it might also be beneficial on the pitch. But ultimately, results will speak louder than theoretical analysis.