3 realistic signings Carrick should immediately make as Man Utd manager

Manchester United new signings: Carrick’s must-haves this summer

Michael Carrick inherited a squad that Ruben Amorim had systematically built around wing-backs and positional rigidity, and while the former Middlesbrough boss has steadied the ship impressively since arriving in January, the cracks in the squad remain wide enough to drive a bus through. United have climbed into third in the Premier League under Carrick’s watch, with six wins from their last eight matches, pushing Champions League football back into view.

However, even with that momentum, the structural deficiencies, a winger-less left flank, a midfield stripped of Casemiro‘s cover, and an attack still crying out for balance, demand serious investment. Sources at Old Trafford already confirm that midfield and the left wing are the two priority positions for Manchester United new signings in this summer’s window.

1. Morgan Rogers: The £86m Manchester United new signing that changes everything

Carrick managed Rogers at Middlesbrough, and that connection matters far more than pundits currently give credit for. Since moving to Aston Villa for just £15m in February 2024, Rogers has registered 24 goals and 23 assists across all competitions, cementing his reputation as one of the Premier League’s finest attacking midfielders.

Aston Villa have reportedly slapped a price tag in excess of £80m on the 23-year-old, with some outlets citing figures as high as £100m once wage demands of approximately £400,000 per week are factored in. Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain all want the player, but Carrick’s personal knowledge of Rogers and his World Cup profile under Thomas Tuchel this summer give United a genuine advantage in negotiations. The left side of United’s attack needs a creative, dynamic operator, and Rogers would be a good option.

2. Elliot Anderson: The £100m Manchester United new signing, built for Carrick’s system

Manchester United have identified Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson as their primary midfield target, and the logic behind that pursuit is convincing. Anderson moved from Newcastle to Forest for just £35m in 2024, and has since turned into one of the division’s most complete central midfielders, earning regular England caps and a near-certain place in Tuchel’s World Cup squad.

His tactical flexibility, intensity in pressing, and ability to arrive late into the box make him a perfect successor to the Casemiro role in a far more progressive way. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly demands £125m, though United’s recruitment team views Anderson‘s estimated transfer value of around €52m as the grounding point for any realistic negotiation. Manchester City sit in pole position, so United must act decisively and early if they want to win this race before the window heats up.

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3. Anthony Gordon: The £75m wide option Carrick cannot afford to ignore

Gordon has reportedly agreed personal terms with Bayern Munich, but his potential availability on the open market makes him too attractive for United to simply concede. Newcastle United value the 25-year-old England winger at around £75m–£80m, and while Bayern want him aggressively, Manchester United represent a genuinely competitive alternative with Champions League football now in reach.

Gordon contributed 10 Champions League goals this season alone, and his directness, energy, and crossing ability address the exact left-wing void that Carrick publicly acknowledged needs filling before next season begins. Should Bayern fail to meet Newcastle’s asking price, United stand well-placed to move swiftly.

Manchester United close to securing transfer move for £45m midfielder

Carrick’s rebuild is really important and the need of the hour. The summer window, built on the back of an impressive run of results, now gives him a genuine platform to attract elite players who want to be part of something growing again at Old Trafford. Manchester United new signings of this calibre, Rogers, Anderson, and Gordon, would signal that the transition under Carrick is not just pragmatic survival, but a credible long-term project built on purpose.