Manchester United’s manager Michael Carrick has been forthright about the club’s transfer ambitions, insisting that the team both "wants" and "needs" to complete additional deals before the summer market shuts on September 1. As Carrick prepares for his inaugural full campaign at Old Trafford, United have already secured the services of midfielder Andrey Santos and Belgian playmaker Youri Tielemans for a combined fee of roughly £85 million, and have added goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer from Leeds United.
Beyond those headline names, the club has also brought in a handful of younger prospects—Tynan Thompson, Kit Margetson and Cristian Orozco—who are expected to develop within the academy rather than make an immediate impact on the first‑team roster. The initial focus of the window was clearly on bolstering the midfield after the exit of veteran Casemiro, as well as providing a reliable backup for the newly‑appointed No. 1 goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
While the arrivals of Santos, Tielemans and Darlow represent tangible progress in two key areas, a growing sense of impatience among United supporters suggests that many feel the club should have been more aggressive. When asked to evaluate his first summer transfer period, Carrick expressed satisfaction with the quality of the players already signed, yet he underscored the ongoing need for further reinforcement. "We’re delighted with the players we’ve brought in, first and foremost," he told Sky Sports News.
"We’ve improved the squad in terms of balance, quality and the direction we want to head. The business we’ve done is solid, we’ve added top‑class talent, but we always aim to improve.
We want more, we need more, and we’ll keep pushing until we get it." One of the most notable returns this window has been the homecoming of Marcus Rashford. After spending the previous season on loan at Barcelona, where the Catalan club declined to activate a £26 million purchase option, Rashford rejoined United’s pre‑season preparations. Carrick noted that Rashford’s reintegration has been handled calmly, treating him like any other squad member while acknowledging the added benefit of his deep familiarity with the club’s culture. "He’s been here all his career, he knows what it means to wear the shirt," Carrick said.
"He brings qualities we haven’t had, and his form in training has been impressive. We treat him like any other player and welcome his contribution to the group." Rashford could make his first appearance for United since December 2024 in an upcoming friendly against AC Milan, managed by Ruben Amorim.
The striker’s return alleviates some of the pressure on Carrick to chase a new forward, allowing the manager to concentrate on other positional needs. Looking ahead, United are reportedly still active in the market for a left‑back and possibly a third central midfielder. The club has explored a potential move for Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall, but the Magpies have made it clear that Hall is not for sale at this stage. Another candidate is Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, an attacking left‑back who could provide the width and defensive solidity United desire.
Meanwhile, Harry Amass, who featured in pre‑season, is expected to depart before the window closes. United also retain a long‑term interest in Arsenal’s versatile youngster Myles Lewis‑Skelly, a player capable of operating both as a left‑back and a midfield pivot. While it remains uncertain whether the Red Devils will make a bid for him this summer, his dual‑position ability could theoretically address two areas of need simultaneously.
The question of whether United will sign a third central midfielder after already adding Tielemans and Santos is still open. Some fans worry that the midfield depth may be insufficient, especially given the injury scare involving Mason Mount, who has been deployed in a deeper role during pre‑season but suffered a setback that raised concerns about his availability. Overall, Carrick’s message is clear: the club has made solid strides but the work is far from finished. The manager emphasized that the pursuit of additional talent is a continuous process, one that will not cease until the squad feels truly equipped to compete for top honours.
As the deadline approaches, United supporters will be watching closely to see which names surface on the transfer list and whether the club can secure the final pieces needed to complement the promising core already assembled.