Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has urged the club to ramp up spending to keep pace with rivals in the Premier League title race. Since the end of last season, United have spent around £85 million ($114 million) to bring in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow.
That outlay appears modest compared with other title contenders such as Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, who have splashed out big money on high-profile signings.
Carrick understands that United need more quality and squad depth if they are to challenge for their first English league title since 2013 while also competing in the Champions League. Notably, United have never spent more than £89.5 million ($120.7 million) on a single player — the club-record fee paid for Paul Pogba in 2016.
Ahead of his first full season as permanent manager after a successful spell in interim charge, Carrick urged the board to push on with recruitment: “I think we've done good business and we have top players. We're happy with that. We always want to improve. We want more, we need more and we keep looking for ways to do that. It never stops.”
Carrick led United to a third-place finish in the Premier League after replacing the sacked Ruben Amorim. However, with United spending less than both newly promoted sides Coventry and Ipswich, some fans are growing restless as the new season kicks off against Hull on August 22.
“Money is money, I understand that. It's still football and that's where the competition is,” Carrick said. “Of course, the situation is what it is, whether it's about finances or anything else. Right now, we have to make the most of what we've got, but we have to keep pushing every boundary to win again.”
Asked why United are not spending at the same level as other clubs, Carrick replied: “Honestly, I don't have an answer for that. We're trying our best to make the most of everything.”
Marcus Rashford, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona, returned to United this week after finishing the World Cup. Barcelona declined the option to make the 28-year-old England forward's move permanent, leaving his future at United uncertain.
“He's our player, a good player and he brings something different to the squad,” Carrick said. “Marcus can contribute a lot. He has done it and can do it again, so in that respect, it's quite exciting.”
Several United players have spoken publicly about their desire to dethrone Arsenal and win the league. Carrick, known for being tight-lipped, did not rule out a title challenge: “We definitely have the potential to achieve something really special. I won't hide from the fact that we should be aiming for that, but I can't give a definitive answer. It's certainly what we're striving for because we have to be — that's our club.”
