Michael Carrick is under growing pressure at Manchester United after a poor start to the Premier League season, but the club’s transfer business has left him with a squad that remains short of key players.
Carrick was rewarded with a two-year contract and an option for a further season after guiding United to third place last season and securing Champions League qualification following Ruben Amorim’s difficult 14-month spell. However, the club failed to land several of Carrick’s preferred targets during the summer and spent significantly less than their main Premier League rivals.
United have taken five points from their opening five league games, their joint-worst start to a Premier League season. Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham, secured by Matheus Cunha’s 89th-minute equaliser, increased the pressure on Carrick ahead of the international break.
Midfield rebuild falls short
Carrick identified Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes of West Ham as key targets for a midfield overhaul. Neither move materialised, with Anderson joining Manchester City for £116 million and Fernandes moving to Tottenham for £85 million.
United also considered Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães but rejected moves because of the fees involved. Tonali subsequently joined Tottenham for £92.5 million, while Guimarães moved to Arsenal for £75 million.
Instead, United signed Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million and Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48 million. Carlos Baleba also arrived from Brighton for £65 million but has yet to make his debut after suffering an ankle injury.
The club also failed to sign a new left-back, leaving 31-year-old Luke Shaw without an established replacement or long-term successor.
United spent less than their rivals
United’s total summer spending was around £150 million, well below that of their traditional rivals. Chelsea spent £348 million, Manchester City £451 million, Tottenham £315 million, Liverpool £227 million and Arsenal £195 million.
Even newly promoted Ipswich and Hull City spent more, at around £190 million and £151 million respectively.
United’s hierarchy has argued that financial discipline is necessary after years of heavy spending under the Glazer family. The club has spent around £1.8 billion on transfers and wages over the past decade, with only Chelsea and Manchester City spending more during that period.
The current cost-cutting strategy, however, has collided with the need for a major squad rebuild.
Problems extend beyond the manager
United’s squad has several structural weaknesses. Shaw and Diogo Dalot have no established competition in the full-back positions, while only Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez are currently available as experienced centre-backs. The midfield lacks pace and creativity, while Marcus Rashford has yet to register a goal or assist after returning from loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona.
The average age of United’s starting line-up this season is 28.3, the second-highest in the Premier League behind Aston Villa.
Carrick has less than three years of managerial experience, making the United job a significant challenge. But the problems facing the club go beyond the coach. Even a change in the dugout would not immediately address the squad’s lack of depth and the gaps left by the summer transfer window.
For Carrick, the immediate task is therefore not only to improve results but to make a squad with limited options competitive at the highest level.
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