Published Sep 26, 2026, 12:41 PM GMT+1

The Red Devils have taken just five points from their opening five Premier League games. That leaves them ten points off the pace, and they're already out of one cup competition before the end of September.

There were some encouraging signs in the draw at Fulham, though. United registered 25 shots and fought back to take a point after an almost comedically unlucky own goal, and Carrick was full of praise for the character his side showed.

"It's a big thing. Without getting carried away with it, we have taken a point when we wanted to win, but it's part of the learning as a group," the manager said.

"It's the first time that we've had a spell when results haven't gone to plan. You learn about each other. They learn about me, and I learn about them - individually and as a team. We learn about how we respond and what you have to go through. It's part of growing as a group.

"You have to go through certain things to get to the end of it. It could have gone in a different direction today, but I was so pleased with their response. That will help us. It's in there, the lads have felt it and I have seen it. It's really encouraging moving forward."

Despite the poor results, journalist Pete O'Rourke revealed this week that United have no plans to sack Carrick.

Instead, the club look ready to back their manager, and the answer to their attacking problems could be found at the Stadium of Light.

Man Utd eyeing move for Sunderland star Brobbey

Flashscore insider Dean Jones reports that United are among a long list of clubs keeping tabs on Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.

Interest in the Dutchman grew after his performances for the Netherlands at the World Cup, with Tottenham, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid all said to have monitored him this year.

And while Sunderland are in no rush to sell the 24-year-old, who they view as a key part of their long-term project, a fee of around £50m could prise him away from Wearside, reports Jones.

There's no suggestion yet that United are preparing a formal move, but the club are once again scouring the market for a forward they can trust to stay fit and score goals in the second half of the season, and Brobbey fits that profile, having started every Premier League game for Regis Le Bris this term.

His hat-trick against Manchester City took his Sunderland tally to ten goals in 38 matches, and Le Bris was full of praise for his striker afterwards.

United's current options up front aren't convincing. Joshua Zirkzee has been poor in his limited opportunities, and Benjamin Sesko continues to struggle to stay fit. He missed the start of the season through injury and has now pulled out of Slovenia duty to work on his recovery.

According to Transfermarkt, knee and shin problems have cost the 23 year-old 112 days of action in a little over 12 months since his move to Old Trafford.

Brobbey, a physical, confident, in-form striker who can compete with Sesko for the number nine shirt - and replace Zirkzee for good - would make a lot of sense for United once the next transfer window rolls around.