Manchester United’s newly appointed manager, 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 campaign at Old Trafford, United have already added a handful of players to the roster.
The Dutch midfielder Youri Tielemans and Brazilian prospect Andrey Santos arrived for a combined fee of roughly £85 million, while veteran 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 lineup immediately.
The initial focus of the window centred on bolstering the midfield after the departure of Casemiro, as well as providing a reliable backup for the newly‑appointed No. 1 goalkeeper, Senne Lammens. With the acquisitions of Santos, Tielemans and Darlow, United have taken steps toward addressing two key areas of need.
Nevertheless, a growing sense of impatience among the fanbase has emerged, with many supporters urging the club to pursue further deals. When asked to evaluate his first summer transfer period, Carrick expressed satisfaction with the quality of the players already signed but emphasised that the job is not yet 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 and quality, and moved in the direction we want to go.
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." One of the most notable returns this summer has been that of England forward Marcus Rashford. After spending the previous season on loan at Barcelona, the La Liga side declined to trigger their £26 million purchase option, prompting Rashford’s return to United. Carrick welcomed the homecoming, noting that Rashford adds a quality to the squad that has been missing.
"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 because he knows the club better than anyone – he’s been here all his life until the last eight months – and that’s a real positive. He brings a set of attributes we haven’t got, and we want that balance with every individual player. Marcus is in good form and has been great to have around this week." Rashford is expected to make his first appearance for United since December 2024 in a pre‑season friendly against AC Milan, managed by Ruben Amorim.
His reintegration into the squad underscores Carrick’s belief that the forward line is already well covered, reducing the likelihood of an additional striker being signed before the deadline. Looking ahead, United remain active in the market for a left‑back and possibly a third central midfielder. The club has explored a move for Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall, but the Magpies have indicated that the youngster is not for sale. Another candidate is Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, who offers an attacking profile from the left flank.
Meanwhile, Harry Amass, who featured in pre‑season, is expected to leave before the window closes. United also maintain a long‑term interest in Arsenal’s versatile youngster Myles Lewis‑Skelly. Capable of playing both as a left‑back and a midfielder, Lewis‑Skelly could theoretically address two positional needs at once, though it remains uncertain whether United will act on that interest this summer. The club’s recent midfield signings – Tielemans and Santos – have already provided depth, so it is possible that United may finish the window without adding a third central midfielder.
Mason Mount, who has been deployed in a deeper role during pre‑season, suffered an injury scare that has raised concerns among supporters about his fitness and availability for the upcoming campaign. The situation highlights the delicate balance Carrick must strike between integrating new talent, managing injuries, and maintaining squad harmony. In summary, Michael Carrick’s early statements underline a clear message: while the recent acquisitions have improved the squad, the manager and the club hierarchy recognise that further reinforcement is essential to compete at the highest level. The focus now lies on securing a left‑back, possibly adding another midfield option, and ensuring that returning players like Rashford are fully integrated.
As the deadline looms, United fans will be watching closely to see whether the club can complete the puzzle and emerge from the transfer window with a balanced, competitive roster ready to challenge for honours in the coming season.