Manchester United will be looking to start the season on a very strong note as they will be taking a trip to newly promoted Hull City for their opening game of the season.

After managing to finish third last season, despite some mid-season turmoil regarding a change in management, United will now be looking to improve on last season and challenge for the big trophies this time out.

There have been many positives around the club recently, with the new signings integrating themselves into the squad successfully, along with the welcoming back of Marcus Rashford.

Man United still look to be busy in the transfer window as well, with many rumours around Carlos Baleba's imminent arrival, and the club still being on the hunt for a left-back to help out Luke Shaw this season.

And of course, more huge boosts regarding the shortening of United's injury list, as heard in Michael Carrick's most recent press conference.

Carrick started off by confirming that new signing Karl Darlow had trained with the squad this week; he then discussed Matthijs de Ligt.

"Matta's obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training and it's great to have him back. He won't be involved, but he's in good shape and moving in a good direction, so that's a good bonus for us really, at this stage, to have him back.

On striker Benjamin Sesko, he stated, "Ben's back training, so that's, again, another positive. Looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes as well.

Mason Mount was a key issue, however. "He's very close, so it's touch and go for the weekend, really, if not going into next week.

"He picked up a bit of a knock... so, it's nothing major. He's missed some football over recent years and he wants to be fit... so, we're doing our best to help him do that.

He ended with a strong statement about potential recruitment and a strong demand for the current squad.

"We have got to have a squad that's strong enough to have a really good, top starting team with a depth to carry us through the season. Mason will be back very, very soon, if not immediately. So it's all good."

Many fans believe that this season has the facilities to be the most unpredictable season for a very long time.

After the loss of Pep Guardiola for City, the array of new signings for both Chelsea and Spurs, Carrick's first full season, Arsenal still waiting to sign a top-class forward, and a squad of unknowns for Liverpool such as Alexander Isak, who may or may not shine this year, it is hard to see who will finish where.

Therefore, with all this uncertainty, and given that Manchester United were the highest-performing team last season since Carrick's appointment, the Red Devils surely have a chance to end their 13-year drought without a league title.

One of the main factors in winning a league is having squad depth, and if Manchester United can sign both Baleba and a left-back, there are not many spots in the squad that do not have a backup.

With the return of Marcus Rashford, and the promotion of Shea Lacey to the first team, United now have an abundance of talent in the forward positions.

As for the midfield, signing Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and potentially Baleba, the middle of the park is no longer an issue, especially if Mason Mount can stay fit, as he has the ability to play in most positions in both the midfield and attack.

And finally, if United manage to sign a left-back, then they will have at least two first-team options for all positions across the backline, therefore implying that as long as Carrick can coach the players properly, he has all the tools at his disposal to fight for this season's title.