Michael Carrick says Manchester United are “quite happy” with their business, but he has not shut the door on more movement before the deadline. The same window has also left a clear defensive question hanging over the club, especially at left-back, with Lewis Hall still a target and Newcastle making him hard to reach.
Carrick keeps the door open
Carrick made his comments after Sunday’s 5-2 victory over Ipswich. He said: “It’s always difficult to say to be honest, when there’s so little time left,” before adding: “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. As it stands, we’ll have to wait and see.”
That fits the shape of United’s window so far. They have already signed three central midfielders in Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba for a combined £155m, and Carrick also said he is pleased with the business done already. The club are said to be exploring a season-long loan arrangement as a short-term left-back fix.
The left-back problem
Gary Neville’s view is less relaxed. Speaking to express.co.uk, he said: “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,” and then pushed the point further by saying United should try to bring a centre-back and a full-back in.
Neville pointed to the end of the Ipswich game, when Dalot and Shaw went off and Leny Yoro played right-back while Noussair Mazraoui played left-back. That is the practical issue behind the noise: United are already using defenders in improvised roles, and the club still seem to be hunting a short-term solution rather than a clean fix.
The Lewis Hall situation has become the obvious test case. He is the primary left-back target, but Newcastle are said to have made him hard to reach. Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde is also described as unlikely because United are reluctant to meet a valuation of £25.6m to £34.2m and Barcelona will not consider a loan.
Carrick’s calm public line makes sense after a decent spell, but Neville’s warning is the more convincing read on the squad. United have done a lot in midfield, and the back line still looks unfinished.
United face more deadline pressure with the loan market and late exits still live, and the club’s left-back answer may yet depend on how the final hours of the window play out.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
