Carrick keeps door open for fifth signing as United eye left-back before deadline

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has confirmed the club remain open to a fifth signing before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with a left-back and cover for the expected departure of Joshua Zirkzee the most pressing needs.

United have spent £155m this summer on goalkeeper Karl Darlow and midfielders Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba. Carrick said he is satisfied with the business done but stopped short of declaring the window closed.

“I think the business that we’ve managed to do, I’m pleased with,” Carrick said. “I think we’re a better group, a better squad, potentially a better team. Adding Marcus into that feels like a new signing. So, in that respect, we’re quite happy. We’re always open to if there’s something else to be able to add, so I wouldn’t shut that down, but as it stands, we’ll have to wait and see.”

The return of Marcus Rashford from his loan spell has bolstered United’s attacking options, but the left-back position remains thin. United have abandoned their pursuit of Lewis Hall from Newcastle and are now exploring short-term alternatives before the 11pm Tuesday deadline. Noussair Mazraoui filled in at left-back against Ipswich, though the Moroccan is a natural right-back and primarily serves as cover for Diogo Dalot.

Zirkzee, meanwhile, is expected to leave before the window closes. The Dutch forward was an unused substitute in the Ipswich fixture, and Fiorentina are reported to be leading the race to take him on loan.

Carrick acknowledged the difficulty of moving quickly with so little time remaining, but the club’s willingness to act suggests at least one more deal could be completed before Tuesday night.