Michael Carrick, manager of Manchester United, has stated he is "largely" satisfied with the club's transfer window activities, despite the team not securing a new left-back or striker. The club's summer spending of £163 million was primarily focused on midfielders Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and winger Tynan Thompson. This outlay was noted as less than that of some major Premier League rivals and even newly promoted clubs.
Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of cover for left-back Luke Shaw and the decision not to strengthen the attack, especially after declining a late transfer window offer for Joshua Zirkzee from Everton. Carrick, however, maintained that he is content with the current squad and believes players will need to adapt and fill gaps through flexibility.
"What squad is ever the perfect squad?" Carrick questioned. "You've always got to find ways of adapting. When you're building and going through a period where we're trying to get to the top, you've got to make steps. It's not going to be one hit. It's not just an instant fix and you finish top of the league and you stay there."
Carrick acknowledged that "there's other things you possibly could have done" but highlighted the financial realities and the importance of making the most of available resources. "I think for what we've spent, we've certainly made the most of it, without a shadow of a doubt – if not even more than that because of the players we've brought in," he said. "Largely, I think we're in a good place. So we've got players that are flexible as well throughout the whole team and can play in different positions. As you go through a season, you always need that. So, largely pretty happy, yeah."
The manager emphasized that the club aimed to emerge from the transfer window with a stronger group than the previous season, a goal he believes was achieved. "Certainly, the players that we've brought into the group, I'm absolutely delighted with. I think we've done some really good business there for the quality and the level of player that we've got. I'm really, really happy with that."
While the club prioritized reinforcing the midfield, plans are in place to strengthen the defense at the end of the season. This includes decisions made regarding potential targets such as Newcastle's Lewis Hall and Manchester City's Rayan Ait-Nouri. Carrick indicated that Patrick Dorgu is considered a viable option at left-back, having utilized him in more advanced roles during his tenure.
"He can certainly play there," Carrick confirmed. "He has done, without doubt. I'm not sitting here saying he can't do that. It's just the way we've been since I've been here."
Carrick also addressed the situation with Joshua Zirkzee, who was expected to leave but ultimately remained with the club despite interest from other teams, including a late loan bid from Everton. "For sure, Josh is important," Carrick stated. "Josh is happy here and I have a really good relationship with him. What he wants is to play more than he has done and that's good, the healthy competition for places. Josh can do some really top things, I've seen it myself. I'm looking forward to him doing that a little bit more often for us."