Carrick says Manchester United are in good shape despite squad-depth concerns

United invested heavily in midfield this summer, responding to Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s serious injury by bringing in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba in deals worth a combined £155 million.

It is a major rebuild in one area of the pitch.

But it has also come in a summer where City and Liverpool have set a brutal financial pace. Manchester City spent almost the same amount on Enzo Fernandez alone in a British-record transfer, while Liverpool paid up to £123 million for French winger Bradley Barcola.

Even with Champions League football returning to Old Trafford for the first time in 3 seasons, Carrick suggested United have had to work within clear financial limits.

“We went into the transfer window wanting to be stronger than last season’s squad, and we have definitely added a lot of quality,” Carrick said before Sunday’s match against Everton. “I think we have done a lot of good work in that respect, and the financial situation is what it is. We can work with the resources we have and are trying to make the most of what we have.”

He still sounded pleased with the business United completed.

“I am certainly really happy with the players we have brought into the group, and I think we have done some very good deals.”

Luke Shaw, who has struggled with injuries, is currently United’s only recognised senior option in the position. That leaves Carrick with little margin for error if Shaw faces another spell out, particularly with a Champions League schedule now added to the domestic calendar.

Carrick accepted that no squad is ever fully complete.

“Is any squad perfect? You always have to find ways to adapt,” he added. “When you are building and trying to work toward the ultimate aim, which is the most important thing, you have to take steps forward.”

Joshua Zirkzee is another player whose future had looked uncertain. The Dutch forward was linked with Fiorentina, Juventus and a deadline-day move to Everton, but he remains at United despite limited game time over the past 2 seasons.

Carrick wants him to compete.

“He wants to play more, and that is healthy competition for places in the team,” the United boss said. “Josh can do some really exceptional things. I have seen it first-hand and I know he can do it, and I am looking forward to him showing that more regularly for us.”

United’s season has already swung sharply in its opening weeks. A poor 2-0 defeat to promoted Hull on the opening day was followed by a 5-2 win over Ipswich, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick.

The Everton match now offers Carrick’s new-look side a chance to show that the recovery was more than just one explosive afternoon.