Carrick expects no Manchester United departures before transfer deadline despite Zirkzee interest

Michael Carrick does not anticipate any senior departures from Manchester United before the summer transfer window shuts, despite ongoing speculation surrounding striker Joshua Zirkzee and a largely quiet window in terms of outgoings.

With ten days remaining in the window, Carrick told reporters that no player had approached him requesting a move. “Not to me, no,” he said when asked whether anyone had expressed a desire to leave. Asked whether the squad would remain intact until January, he added: “Yeah, at least. I don’t know what’s going to come out, you know. I don’t know what’s going to come at us from elsewhere. We can control what we can control. I’m really happy with the squad we’ve got so far, and if not, we want to improve it.”

United’s summer has been defined more by what has not happened than what has. Manuel Ugarte, who had been expected to depart, suffered a serious knee injury during the World Cup and remains at the club. Barcelona declined to trigger their £26 million option to sign Marcus Rashford, while a proposed permanent sale of goalkeeper Andre Onana fell through, leaving United to accept another season-long loan arrangement.

Zirkzee is the most likely candidate for a late exit. The Dutch forward sought a move in January in search of regular starts, was denied, and subsequently missed out on Netherlands’ World Cup squad. Italian clubs have registered interest, though Carrick’s comments suggest the club are not actively pushing him out.

United have brought in three players this summer — goalkeeper Karl Darlow, midfielder Andrey Santos, and Youri Tielemans — and are still targeting a third midfield signing and cover at left-back.

Carrick’s measured public tone stands in deliberate contrast to the turbulence of previous United transfer windows. He acknowledged being aware of how such situations can deteriorate, referencing Jose Mourinho’s public frustration during United’s 2018 pre-season tour of the United States — a period Carrick witnessed first-hand as a member of Mourinho’s coaching staff. “I’ve been really happy with the structure [of pre-season],” Carrick said. “We all know pre-season is one thing, and once the start of the season gets going, it’s a whole different story.”