(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Fabrizio Romano has admitted he was shocked at Manchester United’s lack of business this summer.
The transfer window closed just over a week ago, and United’s only first-team additions were Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and free agent goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Why Michael Carrick has every right to feel aggrieved at United’s window
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, dejected after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
While the midfield did indeed need prioritising, other areas of the squad were crying out for depth – especially in a Champions League season.
Michael Carrick could make do with the options he had at his disposal for the second half of 2025/2026 as United had already exited both cup competitions and had no form of European football on the schedule.
Alas, his sole priority was securing a top-four finish in the Premier League, but he’d have undoubtedly been expecting that in doing so, he would see his squad reinforced for the campaign ahead.
Manchester United’s squad depth this season: 📷 @OptaAnalyst pic.twitter.com/xYfHzA8KgE — utdreport (@utdreport) September 7, 2026
Injuries to the defence could well prove detrimental to United’s form as the term progresses, particularly if Luke Shaw – the club’s most injury-prone player of the last decade – suffers any lengthy setback, as he is the only out-and-out left-back in the team.
What did Romano have to say about United?
(Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
“The club I was expecting to do more in the summer? I probably expected two-to-three more movements by Manchester United,” said Romano.
“Not even a maybe, I was expecting them to sign a left-back and possibly a centre-back.
“They completely rebuilt the midfield, but my feeling is that maybe for a Champions League season, they needed something else.”
In the coming weeks, Carrick will really be put to the test, with the Reds kicking off their campaigns in the UCL and the League Cup, as well as hosting in-form rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford this Sunday.
Read more: United legend says Carrick has ‘one of the top players in the world’ at his disposal, he was ‘absolutely fantastic’ v Everton
DUBLIN, IRELAND - AUGUST 12: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is pictured during the pre-season friendly match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Croke Park on August 12, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Jadon Sancho of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at Selhurst Park on January 07, 2026 in London, England.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, dejected after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
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