After an injury-hit 2023/24, Middlesbrough now have seveal different ways Michael Carrick can set up his back-four next season.
Middlesbrough begin their 2024/25 Championship season on Saturday, August 10th, taking on Luke Williams’ Swansea City side.
Michael Carrick will be aiming to guide Boro into the top six this time around after missing out on a play-off place by four points in 2023/24.
Part of the reason the North East outfit did not make the top six in the previous campaign was an injury crisis.
One area that was hit particularly hard by this issue was Middlesbrough’s defence. Darragh Lenihan, Dael Fry, and Alex Bangura endured lengthy spells on the sidelines.
However, the quartet are now back fit, giving Carrick plenty of different ways he can set up his back-four in 2024/25…
Option A: Luke Ayling, Matt Clarke, Rav Van den Berg, Lukas Engel
On paper, this may be the strongest backline Carrick could pick for the upcoming Championship season.
Luke Ayling impressed on loan in the second half of last term, providing eight assists in 19 games from right-back.
In the centre of defence, meanwhile, rising star Rav van den Berg and Matt Clarke formed a great relationship toward the back end of 2023/24.
Lukas Engel is also the most experienced left-back option at Middlesbrough, scoring two and assisting four during his first year in England.
Option B: Ayling, Van den Berg, Dael Fry, Alex Bangura
With Tommy Smith still recovering from his season-ending injury, Ayling will be Boro’s main right-back earlier in the season.
But now Daely Fry is back fit, he may take the place of Clarke in the eleven once more.
Fry has been one of the club’s most consistent defenders over the last several years and even captained Boro on a few occasions in 2023/24.
He lost his place to Clarke due to injury but Carrick may decide the 26-year-old deserves to be put straight back into the team.
As for Alex Bangura, he only played 14 league games last term due to injury but showed signs of quality when fit, scoring two and assisting one from left-back.
There is no clear gulf in quality between Bangura and Engel so it is not improbable the former is handed a more prominent role in 2024/25.
Option C: Ayling, Clarke, Fry, Van den Berg
Unless Ryan Giles is brought back to the Riverside this summer, the left-back spot is very much up for grabs.
One option Carrick may explore next term is starting Van den Berg on the left of a back four.
The 20-year-old filled in at full-back on a number of occasions in 2023/24 and was praised by Carrick for his efforts.
Van den Berg being used out wide would allow Carrick to reward Clarke for his fine form last season and bring Fry back into the team after his injury.