Michael Carrick confident Manchester United can keep rebuilding despite squad gaps

Michael Carrick says Manchester United have strengthened significantly during the transfer window and are in a strong position to continue their rebuild, even though he acknowledges the squad remains short in certain areas.

United prioritised midfield recruitment following Casemiro’s departure and a serious injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte. The club brought in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba for a combined fee of about £155m.

Although several Premier League rivals committed substantial sums to individual transfers, Carrick said United had to operate within their own financial restrictions.

“We went into the window wanting to come out stronger from the group that we had last season. We’ve definitely added to that,” Carrick told reporters before Sunday’s trip to Everton.

“I think we’ve done a lot of good work in that respect and the situation is what it is in terms of finances and what we can work with and what we’re trying to get the most of.

“Certainly, the players that we’ve brought into the group I’m absolutely delighted with, and I think we’ve done some really good business there.”

The most obvious gap in Carrick’s squad is at left-back. Injury-prone Luke Shaw remains United’s only senior option in that position, leaving the manager with limited cover.

Carrick, however, believes players must be prepared to operate in different roles and find solutions while the club works towards its long-term ambitions.

“What squad ever is the perfect squad? You’ve always got to find ways of adapting,” he said.

“When you’re building and trying to push to go through a period where we’re trying to get to the top – that’s the ultimate goal – you’ve got to make steps.”

United also faced uncertainty over Joshua Zirkzee’s future before the transfer window closed. Fiorentina and Juventus had shown an interest in the Netherlands international, while Everton made a late approach.

Zirkzee eventually remained at Old Trafford after finding it difficult to secure regular first-team football during the past two seasons.

Carrick believes the forward can still make a significant contribution, despite his lack of consistent playing time.

“He wants to play more than he has done, and that’s the good competition and healthy competition for places,” Carrick said.

“Josh can do some really, really top things. I’ve seen it myself, and I know he can do that and looking forward to him doing that a little bit more often for us.”

United’s season began with a disappointing 2-0 defeat by newly promoted Hull, but they responded in emphatic fashion by beating Ipswich 5-2. Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick in that victory.

Carrick will now attempt to guide United to another positive result when they visit Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.

The fixture will provide another test of the depth Carrick has available, particularly with United still adapting to a reshaped midfield and managing the lack of alternatives at left-back. Despite those concerns, the manager remains satisfied with the work completed during the window and believes the club has taken further steps towards its ultimate aim of challenging at the top.