Manchester United believes acquiring players is more crucial than selecting a manager, and may sign a Premier League iron defender for free! Carrick has already planned for the new season.

Manchester United manager Carrick confirmed that, although he is still awaiting a decision regarding his future next season, he has actively participated in preparations for the upcoming campaign. Carrick is hopeful of leading the team to secure Champions League qualification, but it remains uncertain whether he will be appointed permanently. However, he has received strong support from players and fans, and is now beginning to voice his opinions on management matters.

According to reports, during Maguire's one-year contract extension this week, Carrick participated in negotiations alongside Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada and Football Director Jason Wilcox. "Of course, in the position I hold, there are certain decisions that must be handled properly," Carrick said. "I stated when I first arrived here that I am part of this. Whatever happens in the future, I will continue to be involved. I have been striving to improve everything and make the team better."

Carrick added: "There are various opinions and perspectives, and I certainly will be involved, contributing my part to these discussions. I believe it should be like this because there are tasks that need to be accomplished. I am here to handle these matters."

Carrick will also undoubtedly participate in formulating Manchester United's summer transfer plans. ESPN reported that sources revealed the club believes doing well in player transfers this summer is more important than choosing the manager for next season! Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the management team recognize that correcting mistakes in coaching personnel is much simpler than errors in the transfer market.

For example, André Onana, brought in by Ten Hag, will return to Manchester United this summer, and if the team qualifies for the Champions League again, his salary will significantly increase, hindering United's possibility of selling him. Therefore, selling players in the summer window is very important, yet also quite challenging.

The only certainty for Manchester United now is that Napoli will buy out Højlund for £38 million. Barcelona has an option to buy Rashford for £26 million but hopes to negotiate a lower price. Players United can definitely sell include forward Zirkzee and goalkeeper Altay Bayındır.

Ratcliffe hopes to gain £100 million from player sales, while Berrada, Wilcox, and transfer head Christopher Vivell believe £80 million to £90 million is more realistic. This amount might suffice to bring in a new midfielder to succeed Casemiro. Under Carrick's leadership, United currently ranks third in the league. The board believes that if suitable new players can be acquired, they could build a team capable of competing for titles.

Clearly, Manchester United internally also knows they face a "United tax" when buying players. Last summer, the Red Devils negotiated for a month, unwilling to pay over £65 million for Mbembo.

The club contacted his agent as early as January 2025, and the agent told United that Brentford's asking price was £55 million. However, when United approached, the price rose to £70 million plus £7 million in add-ons. Ultimately, United spent £71 million.

Now, Manchester United's midfield targets are widely known: Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Brighton's Carlos Baleba. Each of these is difficult to obtain, especially the primary target Anderson, who is also pursued by Manchester City and leans more toward joining the sky-blue side of Manchester.

Tonali's performance against United at St James' Park in March impressed Carrick, but his price and wages are high. Guimarães will not force a transfer, Wharton is considered too similar to United's Kobbie Mainoo, and Baleba's form has significantly declined this season.

Manchester United will now control wages for new signings, reducing their appeal to players, at least not as markedly superior to other clubs as before. During the January winter transfer window, United negotiated with Antoine Semenyo's agent, thinking their rival was Liverpool. United's offered weekly wage to Semenyo was somewhat acceptable, but after Manchester City intervened, Semenyo's salary demands significantly increased, and the Red Devils withdrew from the competition.

Now, Manchester United still needs to sign a winger, preferably a left-winger who can function similarly to Amad Diallo on the right side. The club is also interested in signing another midfielder at a relatively cheaper price. Wolves' João Gomes and West Ham's Matheus Fernandes are candidates, especially if their teams are relegated from the Premier League this season, making purchases more feasible.

If both Onana and Bayındır leave, United might also buy a new goalkeeper; while Tyrell Malacia's departure and Patrick Doku switching to winger mean the left-back position also needs reinforcement. United's transfer department worries Luke Shaw cannot handle double-game weeks, and if no signing is made, they can only rely on young players Diego León and Harry Amass.

Additionally, United is scouting left-footed center-backs, with Nottingham Forest's Murillo long reported as one candidate. However, due to Maguire's extension and the presence of Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt, Lenny Yoro, and Eden Haven, the urgency for defensive reinforcements in numbers is not high.

However, Lisandro and de Ligt's injury records complicate the situation. Competing in four fronts over a season requiring 60 matches necessitates more healthy players. ESPN reported United's transfer department is analyzing the summer free-agent market, hoping to sign some players for free to bolster squad strength without occupying too much budget.

Among free agents, Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi is highly attractive and is about to choose his next club. It is said his agent maintains close contact with United, Chelsea, and Tottenham. This 28-year-old Argentine iron defender is left-footed, possessing excellent stability and ball-handling ability.