Michael Carrick would not close the door on another Manchester United move before the summer deadline at 11pm on Tuesday. He said the club are happy with the business they have done, but still open to one more addition after the 5-2 win over Ipswich on Sunday afternoon.
Carrick's deadline-day stance
"It's always difficult to say to be honest, when there's so little time left," Carrick said to mirror.co.uk. He added: "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 is the bit United supporters will focus on. Carrick also said the club's work so far has left them "a better group, a better squad and potentially a better team", with Marcus Rashford treated as "a new signing" in his view.
The summer has already brought three central midfielders, Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba. That is a lot of work in one area, but it has not shut down the possibility of another late move if the right deal appears.
The left-back issue and the exit market
Gary Neville's view is less relaxed. Speaking to mirror.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."
He also pushed the case for a specialist full-back, saying a centre-back and a full-back would "really make a massive difference" if United could get them in before the deadline. The left-back issue has been alive all summer, with Carrick wanting cover for Luke Shaw and Lewis Hall proving unattainable from Newcastle.
Shaw has made only 2 Premier League appearances this season, so the concern is not hard to understand. United's current standing is 16th, which is why late-window fixes still feel possible even after the midfield spending.
The exit market is moving as well. Joshua Zirkzee has managed just 9 goals in 75 appearances, Dan Gore is heading to Jack Wilshere's Luton on loan, and United also want a loan deal for Diego Leon. That leaves the final hours of the window with both incoming and outgoing business still on the table.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
