EA Sports FC 26: Best Players To Buy To Save Manchester United
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’.