Manchester United's newly appointed head coach, Michael Carrick, has made it clear that the club both "wants" and "needs" to increase its transfer activity before the summer window shuts on September 1. As Carrick prepares for his inaugural full season at Old Trafford, United have already added several players to the roster. Midfielder Andrey Santos and Belgian playmaker Youri Tielemans arrived for a combined fee of roughly £85 million, while goalkeeper Karl Darlow was secured on a free transfer from Leeds United. In addition, younger prospects such as Tynan Thompson, Kit Margetson and Cristian Orozco have joined the squad, though they are not expected to feature prominently in the first team immediately.
The transfer strategy this summer has been heavily weighted toward strengthening the midfield after the departure of veteran Casemiro, and also toward providing a reliable backup for newly‑promoted No.1 keeper Senne Lammens. The acquisitions of Santos, Tielemans and Darlow represent solid steps toward addressing two key areas – central midfield depth and goalkeeping cover – but a growing sense of impatience among the United faithful signals that more signings are expected. When asked to evaluate his first window as United's manager, Carrick expressed satisfaction with the players already brought in, yet he emphasized that the club must continue to pursue additional reinforcements. "We're delighted with the players we've brought in, first and foremost," he told Sky Sports News.
"We've improved the group, added balance, quality and moved in the direction we want to go. The business we've done has yielded top‑class talent, and we are happy with that. But we always want to improve.
We want more, we need more. We keep looking forward to how we can do that. That never stops. We're conscious of it and we have to keep pushing." Beyond the new signings, United have also welcomed back England striker Marcus Rashford, who returned from a season‑long loan at Barcelona after the Spanish club declined to trigger a £26 million purchase option.
Rashford has been reintegrated into Carrick's pre‑season preparations and could make his first appearance since December 2024 in a friendly against AC Milan, managed by Ruben Amorim. Carrick praised Rashford's attitude and form in training, noting that the striker brings qualities the current squad lacks. "We're really calm about bringing Rashford back in," Carrick said.
"We treat him like any other player joining the group. He knows the club intimately, which is a positive. He's been here all his career, so his understanding of United's culture is natural. He adds a set of attributes we haven't had, and we want that balance.
Marcus is in good form and has been a great addition this week." Looking ahead, United are actively scouting for a left‑back and possibly a third central midfielder before the deadline. The club is unlikely to pursue a new forward, given Rashford's return provides a viable option up front. One target on United's radar is Newcastle United's Lewis Hall, a promising left‑back, but Newcastle have indicated the player is not for sale.
Fulham's Antonee Robinson is another candidate for an attacking left‑back role, while Harry Amass, who featured in pre‑season, is expected to leave before the window closes. United have also expressed long‑term interest in Arsenal's versatile youngster Myles Lewis‑Skelly, who can operate both as a left‑back and a midfielder. While it remains uncertain whether United will move for him this summer, his dual‑position capability could theoretically address two of United's needs simultaneously.
The club may also finish the window without adding a third central midfielder, relying on the arrivals of Tielemans and Santos to fill that gap. Mason Mount, who has been deployed in a deeper midfield role during pre‑season, suffered an injury scare that has raised concerns among supporters about his fitness and availability for the upcoming campaign. The club's medical team continues to monitor his condition closely. In summary, Carrick's message to the fans and the board is unequivocal: the work of strengthening the squad is ongoing.
While the signings of Santos, Tielemans, Darlow and the return of Rashford have provided a solid foundation, the manager insists that United must remain proactive in the market to secure the balance, depth and quality required to compete at the highest level. The next few weeks will be crucial as United weigh their options, negotiate with potential targets, and aim to finalize a transfer agenda that satisfies both tactical requirements and the high expectations of the United fanbase.