Manchester United's summer transfer window has seen the club miss out on two primary targets, Mateus Fernandes and Elliot Anderson, as they prepare for Michael Carrick's first full season at the helm. Tottenham acquired Fernandes for £85m, while Manchester City secured Anderson with a record £116m bid.
United's transfer activity has resulted in two midfield additions: Youri Tielemans, who joined for £35m from Aston Villa due to a release clause, and Andrey Santos, signed for £48m. Concerns have been raised that these two arrivals may not be sufficient for the required midfield overhaul, potentially leaving the team reliant on the fitness of Mason Mount.
Carrick's return to Old Trafford in January saw the team earn 39 points from 17 games, outperforming Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea during that period. However, the club has not achieved back-to-back top-four finishes since 2021, and a pre-season defeat to AC Milan has added to a quieter summer for the club.