Carrick admits United may miss out on left-back as deadline day looms with five deals in play

Manchester United enter the final hours of the summer transfer window without the left-back reinforcement Michael Carrick has sought all summer, with the 11pm Tuesday deadline fast approaching and several potential deals still unresolved.

Carrick’s side beat Ipswich 5-2 on Sunday, but the manager’s post-match comments offered little encouragement to supporters hoping for late arrivals. “It’s always difficult to say to be honest, when there’s so little time left,” Carrick said. “I think the business we’ve managed to do, I’m pleased with — we’re a better group, a better squad and potentially a better team. Adding Marcus [Rashford] into that feels like a new signing. 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.”

United’s summer activity has been heavily concentrated in central midfield. The departure of Casemiro on a free transfer prompted the club to spend a combined £155 million on Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Carlos Baleba from Brighton. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow has also arrived on a free, while Rasmus Hojlund, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, Altay Bayindir and several others have departed.

The left-back position remains the most conspicuous gap. Top target Lewis Hall has proven unattainable from Newcastle, while Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde looks increasingly unlikely after United balked at the Catalan club’s asking price of between €30 million and €40 million, with Barcelona also unwilling to sanction a loan. RB Leipzig captain David Raum was always considered a longshot, and Racing Santander’s 19-year-old Jorge Salinas — who carries a €16 million release clause — is also attracting interest from Atletico Madrid.

With permanent options drying up, United are reportedly turning their attention to a season-long loan arrangement, similar to the deal that brought Sergio Reguilon in from Tottenham in 2023.

Former United captain Gary Neville offered a blunt assessment of the club’s defensive planning. “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 said after the Ipswich result.

With the window closing Tuesday night, United’s options are narrowing quickly — and Carrick’s measured words suggest the club are prepared to enter the new phase of the season without the full-back cover they originally targeted.