Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Michael Carrick believes Manchester United have enough potential to challenge for the Premier League title but admits the squad still needs strengthening before the new season. The United head coach has called for more additions while stressing that any new arrivals must improve the team.
United have made three additions so far, with Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow joining the squad. Speaking from United’s pre-season base in County Kildare, Carrick made it clear that recruitment remains a priority as the club looks to build on last season’s third-place finish.
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“We’ve definitely got the potential to achieve something really special,” Carrick said. “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.”
“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.”
United have spent 83.3 million pounds on Tielemans, Santos and goalkeeper Darlow so far, while Carrick continues to look for a left-back and another midfielder.
WHO HAVE MANCHESTER UNITED SIGNED SO FAR?
United’s 83.3 million pounds spending so far is below the amount invested by newly promoted Ipswich Town and Coventry City, who have spent 109.4 million pounds and 92.2 million pounds respectively.
Carrick, however, insists the club will not recruit simply for the sake of making signings. The manager wants additions who fit the team’s requirements and can raise the level of competition within the squad.
“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.”
The responsibility now falls on director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada to provide Carrick with the reinforcements he believes are required.
WILL MARCUS RASHFORD STAY AT UNITED?
Another major question concerns Marcus Rashford, who is back with the squad after spells on loan at Aston Villa and Barcelona.
The forward could feature against AC Milan in United’s final pre-season game, potentially making his first appearance for the club since December 2024. Carrick has welcomed his return and believes Rashford can still play an important role.
“He’s our player,” Carrick said. “He’s our player, and he’s a good player, and he gives us something a little bit different in the group.”
Rashford’s return, along with Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez, has strengthened Carrick’s options. The United boss now wants the squad to keep improving, both through the returning players and further additions before the season begins.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
