Jamie Carragher has said Manchester United will not win the Premier League title this season because manager Michael Carrick lacks the "stardust" required, and the club has refused to pay for the best players this summer.
Carragher's prediction
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, the Liverpool legend said: "I personally just don't think Michael Carrick's got that stardust as a manager to win a Champions League or a Premier League. I don't believe Michael Carrick will win the league or the Champions League with Manchester United, but he's done a really good job."
He added: "He could have a good season and put Manchester United in a position to then go and get a Champions League-winning manager."
United's summer business
Carrick became the permanent manager this summer after impressing as interim boss following the departure of Ruben Amorim. The ex-United midfielder guided the club to third place in the Premier League, securing a Champions League spot.
Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have been signed for a combined £85million to reinforce the midfield, with another midfielder and a left-back still targeted. However, Carragher believes United missed a trick by backing out of the race for Mateus Fernandes, who joined Tottenham from West Ham for £85m.
"I was a little bit worried when I saw United linked with Fernandes because I thought that could be a good signing," Carragher said. "I just looked at him and his age and was surprised United didn't go for Fernandes. They said it was too expensive but was it that expensive? I know £85m is a lot but you're never going to get a really top midfielder now for £50m."
Carrick's response
Santos cost £50m from Chelsea, and Carrick has been delighted with his impact in pre-season. "Andrey, for such a young man to come in the way he's come in, his character, his personality is a dream. Literally, he's a dream," Carrick said last week.
"He's so positive, so mature, so switched on. He wants to learn. He comes in straight away and he's trying to help other players and talk in games and communicate in games, and has that personality where he's got a real substance to him. Delighted to have him."
