Michael Carrick has insisted Manchester United can still compete for the biggest trophies despite a summer transfer window that suggested they no longer have the financial muscle to match their traditional rivals.
United were the 10th biggest spenders in the Premier League this summer, with an outlay of £163million on Karl Darlow, Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and teenager winger Tynan Thompson. That compares with Manchester City's £472million spending spree, while Chelsea splashed out £351million and Tottenham £334million. All of United's traditional 'big six' rivals outspent them, as did newly-promoted clubs Hull City and Ipswich Town.
Financial discipline under Ineos
Carrick had hinted at financial issues holding the club back in the summer, but under Ineos rule United have become more disciplined in the transfer market. They stepped back from deals for Elliot Anderson, who joined Manchester City for £116million, and Mateus Fernandes, who went to Spurs for £85million, because they felt the fees did not represent value.
With chief executive Omar Berrada talking of a challenge for the title in the next two seasons and lofty ambitions on United's return to the Champions League, it puts Carrick in the unenviable position of having to deliver on those aims while watching rivals get stronger, but he remains confident that can be achieved.
"I certainly feel we can compete," he said. "I think the challenge is just getting the right dynamics, getting the right balance, getting the right group together."
Focus on the pitch
"The actual amount of money in the end, I understand it can be a big thing. It doesn't always have to be the answer, but it can be. Money's one thing, what you do with it is another thing, how you make the most of it is another thing. It's about what happens on the pitch at the end of the day."
"It's up to us to do the work and get the best out of the group. We've got a fantastic group of players, and they've proved over a period of time now that we can put results together and play well and win in all sorts of different places and environments. We've got to keep doing it in the end."
"We've strengthened the group from what we had last season, and we finished the season really strong. We're really positive with where we can get to. Realistic from where we've been, but we know where we want to get to, and we're really positive that we can."
Strong run and new challenges
No Premier League side has taken more points than United in Carrick's 19 games in charge, although an impressive run in the second half of last season is caveated by the fact they only had the league to focus on from mid-January.
The 45-year-old believes the fact his players have become accustomed to winning is a positive heading into this season, with just three defeats in those 19 games, but he is also aware that a more demanding schedule will make that difficult to repeat.
"For me, being at this club, you've got to strive to win. That's where we want to be, and we want to try and get to that on a consistent level," he said.
"They [the players] know what it's taken to put that run together that you've just mentioned. Granted, there was one competition, and we need to do that an awful lot more this season, but we have strengthened the group, so we feel good about what's possible."
"We know the challenges that we face, of course we do, and as I just said before, it's not an instant thing, but I think we're moving in the right direction, that's for sure."
Opportunity amid flux
There is a state of flux at the top of the Premier League this season, with champions Arsenal failing to strengthen in attack, while big spenders Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool all have new managers in place. That presents an opportunity for United and although Carrick is relatively fresh to the job himself, he is sensing an excitement around the squad for what lies ahead.
"There are obviously some teams that are a bit further down the line than us," he said. "We've been here eight months or so, and some of the players have been here just not long before me."
"There's a freshness around the group, there's an excitement around the group, which is really encouraging. I'll be honest, there's a hunger and a feeling of wanting to achieve something."
