Michael Carrick guided Manchester United from seventh place to third last season, securing a return to the UEFA Champions League. Now, with three games a week on the horizon, serious questions surround the depth and balance of his squad.

From 40 games to a potential 67

Without European football and following early exits from both domestic cups — to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup and Brighton in the FA Cup — Manchester United played just 40 games across all competitions last term. That was the joint-lowest total among Premier League clubs and the club's lowest single-season figure since 1913/14.

That light workload allowed Carrick to keep his key players fresh. Between his January appointment and the end of the Premier League season, only five clubs made fewer line-up changes than United.

This season is a different proposition entirely. Thursday's fixture against Sabah marks the first of eight guaranteed UEFA Champions League group games, and United could play as many as 67 matches across all competitions before the campaign concludes.

Carrick struck a positive tone during pre-season.