Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is aiming for the team to achieve "something really special" this season, emphasizing a belief in the squad's potential while also highlighting the necessity for strategic reinforcements in the transfer market. Speaking during the club's pre-season trip to Ireland, Carrick conveyed a determined outlook, contrasting with a perceived calmness in his approach compared to his predecessor.
Despite a relatively frugal transfer window so far, with only Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, and Karl Darlow arriving, Carrick has been impressed with the new signings. He described Andrey Santos, in particular, as a "dream" due to his character and personality. However, Carrick made it clear that further improvements are needed, referencing a desire to "push" in the transfer market multiple times. The club is reportedly still seeking a left-back, having had previous approaches for Lewis Hall rebuffed, and is also looking to strengthen the central midfield.
Carrick's comments come as Manchester United faces a competitive Premier League landscape, with rivals like Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur having significantly increased their spending. Even newly promoted clubs have outspent United in the current window. "It can't be for the sake of it, but yeah, of course, we want to improve, we need to improve,” Carrick stated. “It's something that we're working towards, for sure.”
Regarding player futures, Carrick addressed the situation surrounding Marcus Rashford. While acknowledging Rashford's talent and the potential for him to contribute significantly, Carrick did not rule out a potential move before the transfer deadline. He noted that players often experience "ups and downs" in their careers. The manager also expressed optimism about Kobbie Mainoo's return, believing the midfielder is in a good place and ready for a strong season after participating in the World Cup without playing time.
Carrick acknowledged the increased demands of competing in Europe this season, with the team facing a significantly higher number of fixtures compared to the previous year. He concluded by stating, "We're not naive, we know what we're going into. But we feel we're a stronger group now than we were last season as well in many ways, so we've just got to capitalise on that."