Michael Carrick has expressed confidence that Manchester United's squad 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. Altogether, United's net outlay for the window amounted to roughly £118 million, a figure that was modest compared to the spending sprees of newly promoted sides such as Ipswich Town and Coventry City.
Former player and pundit Gary Neville has repeatedly warned that United must still allocate resources to strengthen the back line before the window closes. Despite the lack of a major defensive investment, Carrick remains upbeat about the quality of his group and their prospects for the rest of the campaign.
Speaking at a charity golf day for his foundation, he said, "We've added some very good players to the club and improved the squad in a number of ways, both as individuals 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, noting that the current market has been particularly tricky due to the high level of spending across the Premier League. "Some clubs will spend more than us, others less. The key is to make the most of the resources you have and understand where you stand.
I think we're a very good team and we want to keep getting better," he added. The start to United's season could not have been more disappointing. A humbling defeat at the hands of newly promoted Hull City on the opening weekend left the fans and players stunned.
However, the team quickly responded with a resounding 5‑2 victory over Ipswich Town in their first home fixture. Carrick praised the resilience and bravery shown by the squad after such an early setback, saying it gave him a great deal of encouragement for the weeks ahead. "Since I returned and we built this group, we've had a few losses and some setbacks, but the way the lads have dealt with them gives us a lot of confidence moving forward," he explained.
He reflected on the nature of football, where adverse moments are inevitable. "At some point you will face challenges – whether it's a single game or a specific moment within a match – and the way you respond tells you a lot about the character of the group," Carrick noted. He highlighted United's performance in the first half against Ipswich, acknowledging a few periods where things did not go to plan, but emphasizing that the team turned the tide in the second half and produced quality football.
"People often focus on goals and results, but what pleased us most was the mentality we displayed. That gives us a lot of encouragement for the future," he said. While several United players impressed against Ipswich, the spotlight inevitably returned to Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder opened his season tally with a third hat‑trick for the club and added a sublime assist for Bryan Mbeumo's goal.
His dazzling display prompted Gary Neville to label Fernandes as the best signing since Sir Alex Ferguson's era, a sentiment Carrick echoed, though he stopped short of superlatives. "I've spoken a great deal about Bruno, and it just shows what he can achieve," Carrick remarked. "His importance to us and the impact he has cannot be overstated.
Since we started working together again, he has been a constant positive influence." Carrick praised Fernandes's professionalism, work ethic and desire to win, noting that he consistently sets a high standard in training and matches. "He leads by example every day, his attitude is spot‑on, and he delivers performances like that.
Bruno always acknowledges that football is a team sport, and there were other individuals who had fantastic afternoons as well," he said. "He gets the headlines, and I understand why – the quality of his moments over the weekend was extraordinary.
I'm confident we will see many more of those moments as the season progresses." Looking ahead, Carrick believes the squad's blend of new signings and existing talent provides a solid foundation for a competitive season. He expects the midfield additions to add depth, creativity and competition for places, while the arrival of Karl Darlow offers a reliable option between the sticks.
The manager also hinted that further defensive reinforcements could still be on the cards, aligning with Neville's earlier calls for investment at the back. In summary, Michael Carrick is convinced that Manchester United have emerged from the summer transfer window in a stronger position.
He highlighted the positive impact of the new midfield signings, praised the team's mental resilience after a poor opening result, and lauded Bruno Fernandes for his continued excellence. With a renewed squad spirit and a clear focus on improvement, Carrick looks forward to a season where United can build on early successes and address any remaining weaknesses, especially in defence, to challenge for higher honours in the Premier League.