Manchester United face transfer deadline decisions as Carrick hints at limited activity
Manchester United have until 11pm on Tuesday night to complete any further transfer business, with manager Michael Carrick indicating that the club are open to additions but not desperate to force deals through.
Speaking after Sunday's 5-2 victory over Ipswich, Carrick expressed satisfaction with the work done so far in the window. "It's always difficult to say to be honest, when there's so little time left," he said. "I think the business we've managed to do, I'm pleased with - we're a better group, a better squad and potentially a better team."
The summer has been defined by a significant overhaul of the midfield. United have signed Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba from Aston Villa, Chelsea and Brighton respectively for a combined £155million, following the departure of Casemiro on a free transfer. Carrick described adding Marcus Rashford to the squad as "like a new signing", while remaining cautious about further activity.
"In that respect, we're quite happy but we're always hoping that if there's something else to add, I wouldn't shut that down," he said. "As it stands, we'll have to wait and see."
Beyond the midfield, other movement has been limited. Karl Darlow has joined on a free transfer to provide back-up to Senne Lammens, while a number of players have left the club, including Rasmus Hojlund, Radek Vitek, Toby Collyer, Tyler Fredicson, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Altay Bayindir.
Left-back search hits obstacles
The club's priority in the final days of the window has been finding a left-back to compete with Luke Shaw. However, their top target, Lewis Hall, has proven unattainable from Newcastle. Reports have mentioned Barcelona's Alejandro Balde, RB Leipzig's David Raum and Racing Santander's Jorge Salinas as potential alternatives, but progress has been slow.
United are reportedly unwilling to meet Barcelona's asking price for Balde, which is understood to be between €30m 6m) and €40m 2m). Barcelona are said to be against a loan deal for the defender. A season-long loan arrangement, similar to the one which brought Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham in 2023, has been considered as a short-term solution.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the Ipswich game, former United defender Gary Neville suggested the club should consider bringing forward defensive investment. "Manchester United have rebuilt their attack last season. They've rebuilt the midfield this season. It feels like they're going to wait to rebuild the defence for another 12 months," he said. "I don't know if there are one or two defenders available, but if there are, can you somehow try and advance that money into this window and then spend less next season? Because it would really make a massive difference if they could get a centre-back and a full-back in."
Neville pointed to the end of the Ipswich match, when Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot went off, leaving Leny Yoro at right-back and Noussair Mazraoui at left-back. "That's not ideal at all," he said. "One of them is makeshift full-back at best, there's no lack of willingness for him to play there, but he's not a full-back. Mazraoui can play left-back, but he's not the left-back that you want there."
Outgoings still possible
Joshua Zirkzee remains the most high-profile player awaiting an exit, with the club wanting to offload the 25-year-old who has managed nine goals in 75 appearances. A proposed loan move to Fiorentina with an option to make it permanent has broken down, with the Italian side preferring Everton's Beto.
According to Sky Sport Italy, Juventus are keen on Zirkzee, but only as a replacement for Jonathan David, who could be on the move to Atletico Madrid. Atletico could still sell star striker Julian Alvarez to Arsenal.
Young left-back Harry Amass could also leave on loan, despite impressing Carrick in pre-season. "It comes to this stage and this is the stage of the window, there is always different scenarios," Carrick said last week. "We try and do the best for each individual player while keeping the group strong. We've been really pleased with Harry, he had a really good season that didn't end so well with the injury, he's done really well in pre-season."
Fellow academy graduate Dan Gore is set to join Jack Wilshere's Luton on loan, while United are also said to want a loan deal for Diego Leon, who has failed to impress since arriving from Paraguay last summer.
With the deadline approaching, United face decisions on both incomings and outgoings. Carrick's latest comments suggest the club are content with their business so far, but remain prepared to act if the right opportunity arises before Tuesday's 11pm cut-off.