Carrick calls for more signings as United's midfield search enters final 15 days

Manchester United have 15 days to complete their summer transfer business, and manager Michael Carrick has made clear that the squad still needs reinforcing — particularly in central midfield — before the window closes.

United have brought in goalkeeper Karl Darlow, midfielder Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for a combined £85m, but Carrick used a media appearance in Dublin last week to signal that more is required. “We always want to improve, we want to, you know, we want more, we need more, we keep looking for how we can do that, so that never stops. We’re conscious of that and we’ve got to keep pushing,” he said.

The remarks were measured by Carrick’s standards — a manager whose media manner sits at the opposite end of the spectrum from José Mourinho, who famously told reporters during United’s 2018 pre-season tour that he was “not happy” with the club’s transfer activity. Mourinho was sacked a few months later without another signing being made that summer. Carrick’s message was quieter, but it was heard.

A pre-season defeat against AC Milan underlined the concern. Tielemans and Santos started together at the base of midfield behind Bruno Fernandes. Tielemans’ passing was tidy, but he offers limited mobility and is not naturally suited to protecting the back four. Santos, 22, has the profile of a No.6 but is not yet the finished article at this level. The gap left by Casemiro’s departure remains unfilled.

United spent £215m on transfers last summer. Even if they were to add a midfielder and a left-back for a combined £100m before the deadline, their total outlay this window would still fall £30m short of that figure — context that suggests the budget exists to act.

Carrick is working alongside sporting director Omar Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox, head of recruitment Christopher Vivell and head of player development Matt Hargreaves. The options in the market have narrowed as the summer has progressed, and the clock is running down on United’s ability to land the defensive midfield profile they need.