Michael Carrick calls for more Manchester United signings at pre-season base
Michael Carrick said on August 14, 2026, at Manchester United's pre-season base in County Kildare that the squad needs further signings before the new season and that any arrivals must improve the team. He added that United have the potential to challenge for the Premier League title but still require strengthening.
United have completed three signings so far — Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and goalkeeper Karl Darlow — and have spent 83.3 million pounds on those additions as the club seeks to build on last season's third-place finish. Speaking from County Kildare, Carrick said: "We've definitely got the potential to achieve something really special," and added, "I'm not hiding from the fact – and we should aim to do it. I can't give you a definite answer on [winning the title] but it's certainly what we're pushing to do because we have to. That's the club we are."
On recruitment policy, Carrick stressed that signings must make the squad better rather than being completed for their own sake. "We always want to strengthen in every way. So it depends on: is it going to make us better, and is it going to help us? It [buying a player] can't be for the sake of it, but, of course, we want to improve. We need to improve," he said.
Carrick said there are specific positions still to address and that he remains in the market for a left-back and another midfielder. United's spending to date — 83.3 million pounds — trails newly promoted Ipswich Town and Coventry City, who have spent 109.4 million pounds and 92.2 million pounds respectively.
The task of securing further reinforcements falls to director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, Carrick indicated while outlining the club's transfer priorities. "There's one or two areas where we'd like to improve," Carrick said. "But we are pretty clear in the messages that we need to keep pushing and there's certain things that we want to try and do, but it needs to be right."
Marcus Rashford has returned to the squad after loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona and could feature against AC Milan in United's final pre-season game, potentially making his first appearance for the club since December 2024. Carrick welcomed Rashford's return and said: "He's our player," adding, "He's our player, and he's a good player, and he gives us something a little bit different in the group." The forward's availability, together with the returns of Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez, has increased Carrick's options.
Carrick signalled that the club intends to keep improving the squad through both returning players and any further additions before the season begins, with the possible involvement of Rashford against AC Milan the next confirmed match scenario mentioned by the manager.
