Manchester United are already facing uncomfortable questions just three matches into the new Premier League season, having dropped points in two of those outings — a return that has left Michael Carrick with his head in his hands.

The early-season wobble raises familiar concerns about whether the club's rebuild is progressing at the pace supporters and staff had hoped for, with two costly slip-ups in the opening three fixtures threatening to undermine the optimism of a fresh campaign.

Dropping points this early in the calendar puts significant pressure on a squad still finding its footing, and the margin for error over the remaining weeks of the season narrows with every result that falls short of expectations.