Manchester United's manager Michael Carrick has openly stated that the club both "wants" and "needs" to increase its transfer activity before the summer market shuts on September 1. As he prepares for his inaugural full campaign at Old Trafford, United have already added a handful of players to the roster. The most notable arrivals are Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos and Belgian playmaker Youri Tielemans, whose combined fee totals roughly £85 million.
In addition, the team secured goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer from Leeds United, providing extra depth between the sticks. Beyond these headline signings, United have also brought in three younger prospects—Tynan Thompson, Kit Margetson and Cristian Orozco.
While these academy graduates are unlikely to feature prominently in the senior squad immediately, their inclusion signals a commitment to developing talent for the future. The transfer strategy at the start of the window was heavily weighted toward bolstering the midfield after the departure of veteran Casemiro. At the same time, the club sought a reliable understudy for the newly promoted number one, Belgian keeper Senne Lammens. In that regard, the acquisitions of Santos, Tielemans and Darlow represent solid steps forward, addressing two critical areas of need.
Nevertheless, a growing sense of impatience has taken hold among United supporters, many of whom feel the club should be more aggressive in the market. When asked to evaluate his first summer window as head coach, Carrick expressed satisfaction with the players already signed but emphasized that the job is not finished. "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 been very good and we've secured some top‑level 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." One of the most significant developments of the window has been the return of England forward Marcus Rashford. After spending the previous season on loan at Barcelona, Rashford came back to United when the Spanish club chose not to trigger their £26 million purchase option. Carrick has welcomed Rashford back into the pre‑season squad, noting that the striker adds a dimension that the current group 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 his whole career, apart from the last eight months, so he understands the culture.
We treat him exactly like any other player and integrate him as normal. He brings qualities we haven't had, and his form in training has been impressive." 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 reintegration is seen as a solution to United's attacking needs, reducing the pressure to sign a new forward before the deadline. Looking ahead, United are still scouting for a left‑back and possibly a third central midfielder.
The club has explored a deal for Newcastle United's Lewis Hall, but the Magpies have made it clear that the youngster is not for sale at this stage. Another candidate is Fulham's Antonee Robinson, who offers an attacking profile from the left flank. Meanwhile, Harry Amass, who has featured in pre‑season, is expected to leave before the window closes.
United have also kept tabs on Arsenal's versatile youngster Myles Lewis‑Skelly, capable of playing both as a left‑back and in midfield. While it remains uncertain whether Manchester United will move for him this summer, his dual‑position capability could theoretically address two squad deficiencies simultaneously.
The club has not ruled out the possibility of finishing the window without adding a third central midfielder, given the arrivals of Tielemans and Santos already provide depth in that area. In midfield, Mason Mount has been deployed in a deeper role during pre‑season matches, but a recent injury scare has raised concerns among fans about his fitness and long‑term availability.
The coaching staff will need to monitor his recovery closely as they finalize the squad for the upcoming season. Overall, Carrick's message to the United faithful is clear: the work done so far is appreciated, but the pursuit of excellence continues. The club aims to maintain momentum, keep the squad balanced, and ensure that every position is adequately covered before the transfer deadline. As the clock ticks down, United supporters can expect further activity in the market, with the management remaining vigilant for opportunities that align with their strategic vision for the team.