Manchester United’s newly appointed head coach, Michael Carrick, has made it clear that the club both "wants" and "needs" to be active in the transfer market 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, but the manager insists that further reinforcements are required to achieve the squad’s objectives. So far, United have secured the services of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos and Belgian playmaker Youri Tielemans, together accounting for roughly £85 million in fees. In addition, they have brought in goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer from Leeds United.
Young prospects such as Tynan Thompson, Kit Margetson and Cristian Orozco have also joined the club, although they are not expected to feature prominently in the first‑team lineup immediately. The initial focus of the transfer window was the midfield, a priority that grew after the departure of veteran Casemiro. United also sought a reliable backup for the newly promoted No 1 goalkeeper Senne Lammens. With the arrivals of Santos, Tielemans and Darlow, the club has made measurable progress in addressing two key areas – midfield depth and goalkeeping cover.
Nevertheless, a growing sense of impatience among supporters has emerged, with many urging the club to complete additional deals before the deadline. When asked to evaluate his first summer window as United’s manager, Carrick expressed satisfaction with the players already signed but emphasized that the work is far from finished.
"We’re delighted with the players we’ve brought in, first and foremost," he told Sky Sports News. "We’ve improved the group.
We’ve added balance, quality and a clear direction for the future. The business we’ve done has been very good – we’ve secured some top‑class talent. 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 that and we have to keep pushing." In parallel with these transfer activities, United have also welcomed back England forward Marcus Rashford, who returned after a season‑long loan at Barcelona. The Spanish club decided not to trigger their £26 million purchase option, allowing Rashford to re‑join United for the pre‑season.
Carrick noted that Rashford’s reintegration has been smooth and that the striker brings qualities that 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. Of course, there’s a slight twist – he knows the club inside out, having spent his entire career here until the last eight months, and that familiarity is a real positive. He brings a set of attributes we haven’t got, and we want that balance with every individual player.
Marcus is back, in good form, and it’s been great to have him around this week." Looking ahead to the final days of the window, United appear to be targeting a left‑back and possibly a third central midfielder. The club’s scouting department has examined several options, but a forward signing seems unlikely now that Rashford’s return provides a ready solution up front.
One name that has surfaced is Lewis Hall, a promising left‑back from Newcastle United. However, Newcastle have publicly stated that Hall is not for sale, at least for the moment. Another candidate is Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, an attacking left‑back who could add width and defensive solidity. Harry Amass, a youngster who has featured in pre‑season friendlies, is expected to depart before the window closes.
United also maintain a 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 areas of need simultaneously. Despite the arrivals of Tielemans and Santos, the club has not ruled out the possibility of concluding the window without adding a third central midfielder, especially if the existing options prove sufficient.
Mason Mount, who has been deployed in a deeper midfield role during pre‑season, suffered a minor injury scare that has raised concerns among fans about his fitness and availability. The club’s medical team is monitoring his recovery closely, and any lingering issues could influence United’s final transfer decisions. In summary, Michael Carrick’s message to the United faithful is one of cautious optimism combined with a clear call for continued activity in the market. The signings of Santos, Tielemans and Darlow have strengthened the squad, but the manager believes that the club must keep pushing to secure additional talent, particularly in the left‑back position and possibly in midfield depth.
As the deadline approaches, United’s transfer strategy will likely focus on finding the right balance between immediate impact and long‑term development, ensuring that the team is well‑equipped to compete on multiple fronts in the upcoming season.