The transfer window has shut. Manchester United can’t make any changes to Michael Carrick’s squad until January.
Michael Carrick needs to replicate what he did at Manchester United last season by getting the most out of the players at his disposal.
When Carrick returned to Old Trafford as interim head coach in January, it looked like Champions League qualification was out of reach.
The 45-year-old proceeded to guide United to a third-place finish, securing the team’s place back in Europe’s most prestigious competition, only to sign a permanent deal at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Michael Carrick claims Man Utd are stronger now than last season
It is no secret that United struggle to sell players.
That was the case again this summer, with Toby Collyer being the most senior sale and Joshua Zirkzee remaining at the club.
When asked if he was surprised by United’s lack of sales, Carrick said: “Maybe, maybe not. It goes back to keeping the group stronger.
“We have had a really good foundation over the last eight months or so, and as a group we know what we can do and who brings what to the group at certain times. We wanted to be stronger, and that was the focus. Whatever we need to do to stay stronger, whether that meant players leaving or certain players staying, ultimately we want to keep getting better.
“We feel we have done. With the group we have now, we are in good shape, and it is up to us to push forward now.”
It remains to be seen if the new midfielders can fill the void Casemiro has left over the course of the season. That said, the Brazilian veteran was past his best and needed to be replaced now rather than at a later date.
- ⚡️ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Manchester United struggled to sell players in the summer
- Michael Carrick believes the squad is stronger than it was last season
- Toby Collyer was United’s most senior sale
Michael Carrick quizzed on Man Utd’s financial power in the transfer market
The 2026 summer transfer window saw several questionable deals take place between Premier League clubs.
Instead, United spent their money cautiously and walked away from deals when they felt the selling club was trying to pull the wool over their eyes.
Ineos want to operate United at a sustainable rate, and in their defence, the spending seen during the previous transfer market by other Premier League clubs is anything but sustainable.
“We certainly feel we can compete,” Carrick said.
“The challenge is getting the right dynamics, the right balance and the right group together. It is about getting the best players in the group to enhance everyone else and adding experience or younger players where needed. Money can be a big thing, but it does not always have to be the answer; it can be.
“It is up to us to do the work and get the best out of the group. We have a fantastic group of players who have proved they can put results together, play well and win in all sorts of different places and environments.
“We’ve got to keep doing it in the end. We have strengthened from last season and finished really strongly, so we are positive about where we can get to, realistic from where we have been, but we know where we want to get to and we’re positive that we can.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/yVZnqv5