Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is determined to sign another midfielder before the summer transfer window closes, despite already spending £85 million on two new arrivals in that position. Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have joined from Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively, but Carrick remains unsatisfied with his options following Casemiro's departure.
Carrick's Midfield Plans
According to The Guardian, Carrick is intent on adding a third central midfielder to his squad. However, a deal for Atlanta's Ederson has fallen through after United pulled the plug on the transfer. The club had previously agreed terms with the Brazilian but decided not to proceed.
United have already bolstered their midfield significantly. Tielemans, 28, arrived from Villa for a reported £50 million, while Santos, 20, cost £35 million from Chelsea. The pair are expected to compete with Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo for starting spots.
Defensive Targets Also on Radar
Beyond midfield, United are prioritising a left-back after Tyrell Malacia left at the end of his contract last season. Several Premier League options have been identified, including Newcastle's Lewis Hall and Fulham's Antonee Robinson.
Hall, 19, impressed at St James' Park since his move from Chelsea but Newcastle are reluctant to sell after losing Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer. He remains under contract until 2029. Robinson, 29, has shone for Fulham but is older than United's preferred profile.
Pre-Season Progress
Speaking after United's opening pre-season defeat to Wrexham, Carrick praised Andrey Santos's performance. He said: "There's loads of little positives to take from the game. I thought Andrey and Mason did some really good things and connected really well. I could see some positives there."
Carrick added: "At the top end of the pitch, just because it is a week in, those sharp little movements and bright moments that you are looking for, they come as you progress through the weeks of training. That is what it is. There were good signs from Andrey on his first one, he's getting in the rhythm and feel of it again, so it was good to see him in a red shirt."
He concluded: "As I said before the game, the boys have only been back together for 10 days or so. It was just about getting through today, looking for some positives, looking for some good things and knowing that it wasn't going to be perfect. That is only natural for the first one. I think the most important thing is that everyone came through it in good shape. No injuries, so we can move on and take the next step next week."
