It has been over a decade since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and Manchester United are yet to return to their former days of glory. While some seasons have proved better than others, United recently achieved its worst-ever finish in the Premier League, and they haven’t had the best of starts to the 2025/26 season.

Thankfully, in EA Sports FC 26’s Career Mode, players can take over from Ruben Amorim as manager of Man Utd and try to save them before eventually returning them to their former prime at the top of the Prem. Players have the option to begin at the start of the season, or they could choose a Live Start Point, such as after their loss to Brentford. Either way, to rebuild Manchester United in FC 26, the following players would make good signings.

Using Initial Squads will start after Cunha and Mbuemo were signed, but before Sesko was brought in. Current Squads will have all the purchased players, with Onana and Sancho loaned out, for example.

Best Keepers For Man Utd In FC 26

Marco Carnesecchi Or Dean Henderson

Name

Club

Nation

Age

Value

Overall

Potential

Dean Henderson

Crystal Palace

England

28

$24M

81

81-86

Marco Carnesecchi

Atalanta (Bergamo Calcio)

Italy

25

$54M

84

85-91

Viljami Sinisalo

Celtic

Finland

23

$3.2M

69

75-81

While United have Lammens for the future in goal, they could do with a quality keeper currently at their peak or not far off it. Dean Henderson is a former Man Utd goalkeeper, having risen through their academy. He could make a triumphant return after helping Palace become a top defensive side. If players want even more class, they could consider the Italian keeper, Marco Carnesecchi.

Best Center Backs For Man Utd In FC 26

Guehi, Milenkovic, & Some Squad Options

Name

Positions

Club

Nation

Age

Value

Overall

Potential

Marc Guehi

CB

Crystal Palace

England

24

$41M

82

82-87

Nikola Milenkovic

CB

Nottingham Forrest

Serbia

27

$43M

83

83-87

Jarrad Branthwaite

CB

Everton

England

23

$29M

79

81-87

Jake O’Brien

CB/RB/RM

Everton

Ireland

24

$12M

76

77-83

For instant success and shoring up Utd’s defensive weaknesses, players may want to look at in-demand Marc Guehi and Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic. For a similar price, Guehi is the younger, faster, and shorter option, while Milenkovic would be a huge presence in the box. When looking toward the future, a couple of Everton center-backs could be considered, with both Branthwaite and O’Brien having high potential.

Best Full Backs For Man Utd In FC 26

De Cuyper, Van Ewijk, & Future Stars

Name

Positions

Club

Nation

Age

Value

Overall

Potential

Maxim De Cuyper

LB/RB/LM

Brighton

Belgium

24

$36M

80

82-88

Oliver Scarles

LB/LM

West Ham

England

19

$3.9M

70

76-82

Milan van Ewijk

RB/RM

Coventry

Netherlands

24

$7M

74

76-82

Aaron Hickley

RB/RM

Brentford

Scotland

23

$7M

74

77-83

Colby Donovan

RB/CB/RM

Celtic

Scotland

18

$1.7M

64

80-86

While Noussair Mazraoui is doing well at right back, Manchester United arguably needs more strength at the left back position. Maxim De Cuyper from Brighton could be a good signing, and he even brings the versatility of playing on both sides. Milan van Ewijk is also an exciting player who could prove to be a good substitute or future starter down the right. With a maximum potential of 86, Colby Donovan could be one of the best young right backs in FC 26​​​​​​.

Best Central Midfielders For Man Utd In FC 26

Wharton, Ferguson, Jobe Bellingham, & Prospects

Name

Positions

Club

Nation

Age

Value

Overall

Potential

Adam Wharton

CDM/CM

Crystal Palace

England

21

$39M

79

83-89

Lewis Ferguson

CM/CDM/CAM

Bologna

Scotland

25

$22M

78

79-85

Jobe Bellingham

CM/CDM/CAM

Dortmund

England

19

$10M

74

83-89

Lennon Miller

CM/CDM/CAM/CB

Udinese

Scotland

18

$5M

71

83-89

Arne Engels

CM/CDM

Celtic

Belgium

21

$15M

75

80-86

Bejamin Nygren

CM/LW/RW/CAM

Celtic

Sweden

23

$5M

73

76-82

Bailey Rice

CDM/CM

Rangers

Scotland

18

$1.2M

71

80-96

Manchester United have quality in the middle of the pitch, so players might want to look at the best young central midfielders in FC 26 to eventually replace Bruno Fernandes. Adam Wharton is proven in the Premier League, and with his value sure to go up, it’s better to sign him sooner rather than later. If players are looking for some true grit in the middle, they could try upcoming Scottish players such as Lennon Miller or Bailey Rice, with Lewis Ferguson being a more battle-hardened alternative.

Best Wingers For Man Utd In FC 26

Mitoma, Fatawu, Lee Kang In, & Youth Prospects

Name

Positions

Club

Nation

Age

Value

Overall

Potential

Kaoru Mitoma

LM/LW

Brighton

Japan

28

$36M

82

Peak

Abdul Fatawu

RM/RW

Leicester

Ghana

21

$18M

76

79-85

Oliver Antman

RM/LM/RW

Rangers

Finland

23

$10M

75

79-85

Lee Kang In

RW/CM/RM

PSG

South Korea

24

$31M

79

81-87

Findlay Curtis

LW/RW/LM

Rangers

Scotland

18

$1.8M

63

81-87

When thinking about the best players for Man Utd to sign in FC 26, wingers are an important aspect of the club’s identity, with former stars such as Ronaldo, Beckham, and Giggs coming to mind. If players are looking for immediate results, Kaoru Mitoma from Brighton is a great option, although PSG’s Lee Kang In has a higher potential down the line. There are also plenty of young wingers in FC 26 that could be great after a few seasons.

Best Strikers For Man Utd In FC 26

Kane, Vlahovic, Toney, & Wonderkids

Name

Club

Nation

Age

Value

Overall

Potential

Harry Kane

Bayern Munich

England

31

$103M

89

Peak

Dusan Vlahovic

Juventus

Serbia

25

$48M

82

82-87

Ivan Toney

Al-Ahli

England

29

$30M

81

Peak

Evan Ferguson

Brighton

Ireland

20

$8M

73

78-84

Igor Tyjon

Blackburn

England

17

$0.6M

57

78-84

Jay Stansfield

Birmingham

England

22

$3.7M

69

76-82

Mihailo Ivanovic

Millwall

Serbia

20

$3.6M

69

76-82

James Wilson

Hearts

Scotland

18

$1.4M

63

79-85

To help Benjamin Sesko up front, players may want to sign elite strikers such as Harry Kane, Dusan Vlahovic, or Ivan Toney. There are also a plethora of young strikers in FC 26, which would fit Manchester United’s identity. Some of these might never be starters, but could be great super subs to score in ‘Fergie time’.

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