Michael Carrick has expressed confidence that Manchester United’s roster has taken a step forward following the club’s activity in the summer transfer market. The Red Devils concentrated their spending on revamping the midfield, bringing in Andrey Santos from Chelsea, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Carlos Baleba from Brighton. In addition, goalkeeper Karl Darlow arrived on a free transfer from Leeds United.
The total net outlay for the window amounted to roughly £118 million, a figure that was actually lower than the spending reported by newly promoted sides such as Ipswich and Coventry. Former United legend Gary Neville has publicly urged the club to prioritise defensive reinforcements before the window closes. Despite the lack of a major defensive purchase, Carrick remains upbeat about the quality of the squad for the remainder of the campaign.
Speaking at a charity golf day for his foundation, he said, "We have added some excellent players to the club and enhanced the squad in a number of ways, both individually and as a unit. When you go into a transfer window you hope to emerge stronger than you were before, and I truly believe we have achieved that." He acknowledged that transfer windows are rarely straightforward, especially this summer, which was marked by high spending across the Premier League. "There’s a lot of money moving around the league, and we have made the most of the situation we found ourselves in," Carrick added.
"Some clubs will spend more than us, some less – we have to maximise the resources we have and keep improving." The start to United’s season was far from ideal. The team suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of newly promoted Hull City on the opening weekend, a result that could have set a negative tone for the months ahead. However, the side responded with a resounding 5‑2 victory over Ipswich Town in their first home match, showing resilience after the early setback. Carrick praised the character displayed by the players, noting that their reaction gave him a great deal of encouragement.
"Since I returned and we have built this group, we have faced a few losses and setbacks, but the way the lads have dealt with those challenges fills me with confidence for the future," he explained. He continued, "Every team encounters moments that go against them – whether it’s a single game or a particular incident within a match.
This week I have spoken about those moments, and the response we gave, together with the confidence the players showed, really reveals what we are as a collective. In the first half we executed many good moves, and even when a few things didn’t work, we carried that into the second half and produced quality football." While many fans focused on the final scoreline and the goals, Carrick highlighted the importance of mentality. "People often talk about the goals and the results, but the mindset we displayed is what pleased us most. It gives us a lot of encouragement moving forward," he said.
Among the standout performers against Ipswich, the headlines inevitably returned to Bruno Fernandes. The Portugal international opened his season tally with a third hat‑trick for United and provided a brilliant assist for Bryan Mbeumo’s goal. His display prompted Gary Neville to label Fernandes as the best signing since Sir Alex Ferguson’s era, a claim that Carrick found hard to surpass with his own words.
"I have spoken a great deal about Bruno, and his performances simply demonstrate what he can achieve," Carrick remarked. "His importance to the team and the impact he makes cannot be overstated.
Since we began working together again, he has been nothing but positive." Carrick praised Fernandes’s professionalism and attitude, noting that the midfielder sets an example daily through his training habits, his desire to win, and his willingness to contribute to the team’s success. "Bruno acknowledges that football is a team sport, and I think there were other individuals who also had a fantastic afternoon," Carrick said. "He gets the headlines, and I understand why – his moments were truly special over the weekend.
I am confident we will see many more of those performances as the season progresses." Looking ahead, Carrick believes the squad’s blend of new signings and existing talent provides a solid platform for improvement. He emphasised that while the transfer market may continue to be competitive, United must focus on making the most of the players they have and continue to develop a winning mentality. The manager’s optimism, combined with the players’ demonstrated resilience, suggests that the Red Devils could turn early disappointments into a campaign of growth and achievement.
Overall, Carrick’s message is one of cautious optimism: the team has strengthened, the players have shown character, and the club’s direction remains positive despite the challenges of a demanding transfer landscape and a rocky start to the season.