Manchester United have spent big over the past couple of summers, as INEOS look to revamp their first-team to allow them to challenge in the Premier League and Europe - but work is still needed
Michael Carrick gestures
Michael Carrick has a number of new players at his disposal this season(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United may have splashed over £415million over the past couple of summers, but further investment is needed next summer should the Reds hope to restore glory within Old Trafford. It has been a whirlwind couple of seasons for the club, with Michael Carrick managing a third-place finish last term after picking up the pieces from Ruben Amorim's failed tenure.
While United could only muster a 15th-place finish in the Premier League standings in Amorim's maiden season, club big wigs gave the Portuguese tactician the benefit of the doubt, given he was working with the first-team squad he had inherited from Erik Ten Hag in the November.
However, after having a sizeable war chest at his disposal, and a full pre-season to play with, the board made the decision to part ways with Amorim in January. Carrick showed the 41-year-old how it's done, guiding the club he became a legend with as a player to a third-place finish in the English top flight, despite having no say on player transfers in the winter window.
Carrick was also rewarded with a permanent contract with the club, given he was initially operating on an interim basis until season's end. However, the new permanent manager will already know that further work is needed on his squad in 12 months' time, should United look to establish themselves as genuine contenders in the Premier League and further afield.
It's no secret that the club are in transition at present, alike many of their rivals in the English top flight. That seemingly started last summer, with the club focusing primarily on their forward line, spending a staggering £232m in the process.
Matheus Cunha was snapped up from Wolves for £62.5m, while Bryan Mbeumo was brought in from Brentford in a deal worth up to £71m. Benjamin Sesko also arrived from RB Leipzig in a £74m move, capping off the new instalments to United's lead line.
And while Senne Lammens was snapped up from Royal Antwerp for £18m, and Diego Leon was acquired in a deal which could cost as much as £7m, in a bid to strengthen defence, it's clear that United prioritised their attack with three marquee men.
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This summer, meanwhile, United turned their focus to their engine room - with central midfield their main priority following Casemiro's exit as a free agent. Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba set United back a combined £155m including potential add-ons, while Tynan Thompson could prove as expensive as £8m dependent on bonus payments having signed from Tottenham Hotspur.
Karl Darlow, meanwhile, arrived on a free transfer to play backup to Lammens, who has thrived with the club over the last 12 months. All things considered, if add-ons are paid, United have forked out £415m on improvements over the past two years, with a pattern emerging.
United transfer pattern a good thing in race for Lewis Hall
With attack and midfield now accounted for, United will look to bolster their backline in 2027's window, if their current pattern is anything to go off. It's arguably the club's weakest area of the pitch at present in terms of talent and depth, with surprise across the board that more effort to strengthen wasn't made over the past few months.
Luke Shaw, at 31, is in need of a long-term successor and some direct competition, considering Patrick Dorgu is being considered as a winger in Carrick's system. While a wealth of names were linked with a move to Greater Manchester this summer as a result, nothing managed to come to fruition.
Lewis Hall was the club's main defensive target, given just how well the 21-year-old has held his own with Newcastle United since arriving from Chelsea in 2023. However, the Magpies refused to sell the left-back, and were thought to be requesting an outrageous price for him in the event that any clubs were serious in their pursuit.
Links with the likes of Alejandro Balde, Jorge Salinas and Rayan Ait-Nouri also came to naught, as United put their utmost faith in Shaw for the season ahead. However, that could change in just 12 months time when United look to tidy up their last line of defence - with more arrivals needed than just a successor to Shaw.
Matthijs de Ligt's future with the club is up in the air as a result of a back injury which has sidelined him for the best part of a year, given it is unknown whether he will remain the solid centre-half he was after so long out of action.
Harry Maguire, at 33, meanwhile, will also need to be accounted for - should United harbour any hopes of progressing as a team. The Englishman is undoubtedly one of the club's most trusted players, but time waits for no man as he enters the twilight years of his career, and the cracks could start to show as a result.
Lewis Hall reacts
Manchester United were linked with Lewis Hall this summer(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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There are also concerns regarding Lisandro Martinez's future with the club, given he is only contracted until next summer - albeit, the club have the option to extend his stay by another season should they see fit. The Argentine centre-half has been blighted with various injuries during his time with United, including an ACL injury in 2025 which sidelined him for 44 games for club and country.
Whether he can stay fit enough to cement his place in the club's plans for the years to come remains to be seen. But one thing is certain, and that is the Reds have a wealth of work to do in less than 12 months as they give defence the same treatment as attack and midfield over the past couple of years.