Carrick Keeps Door Open to Deadline Day Activity as United Weigh Options

Manchester United's interim manager Michael Carrick has refused to rule out transfer business on deadline day, leaving the door ajar for potential movement at Old Trafford despite expectations of relative inactivity.

The Red Devils have enjoyed an impressive run under Carrick's stewardship, the former midfielder winning all three matches since taking charge last month. His latest triumph came courtesy of a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Fulham at the weekend, a result that has only strengthened his case for the permanent role.

When pressed on whether United might dip into the market before Monday's cut-off, Carrick adopted a measured stance. "Never say never, of course because a lot can happen and situations can be thrown up sometimes," he told reporters. "Sometimes it's something that's out of our control that we've got to deal with. We're calm. We've shown what we're capable of doing as a team and we'll just have to see what the next few days bring, but I'm calm about it."

United invested heavily in the summer window, splashing over £200m on five attacking additions—Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, Diego Leon and Senne Lammens—as the club sought to address their goal-scoring deficiencies from the previous campaign. The Red Devils had finished as the fifth-lowest scorers in the Premier League, prompting their recruitment focus on the forward line.

However, many supporters felt the absence of midfield reinforcement represented a missed opportunity, leading to speculation about potential January activity. That now appears unlikely to materialise on any significant scale.

According to reports, United are unlikely to pursue major signings before the window shuts. There remains a slim possibility of a squad full-back being loaned out, while the club could potentially accelerate a summer recruitment target if an opportune deal materialises. The club has also been linked with an attempt to hijack Liverpool's move for Jeremy Jacquet, suggesting they remain alert to market opportunities.

The overall sense, though, is one of restraint—United seemingly content to maintain their current trajectory and plan for more substantial activity in the summer transfer market.