5 Man Utd signings that would be perfect for Michael Carrick if he gets the full-time job

Manchester United didn’t spend any money in the January transfer window, leaving Michael Carrick with the same squad to work with for the remainder of the campaign.

If the 44-year-old helps the club finish the season in the Champions League places, United may decide to offer him the manager role permanently.

Carrick would then be allowed to build a team in his image, and we’ve take a look at five players he should look to sign in the summer.

Elliot Anderson

While Ruben Amorim was pushing for midfield reinforcements last summer, the decision was made to invest in other areas of the squad instead.

But with Casemiro announcing that he will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, United will have to bolster their midfield options this summer.

In December, it was reported that they had identified Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson as their top target and that is unlikely to change with Carrick in charge.

The 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength at Forest, establishing himself as one the most well-rounded midfielders in the Premier League.

United will face competition from Manchester City and may also have to break their own transfer record, which currently stands at the £89million they paid for Paul Pogba.

While a move for the England international would eat into a significant chunk of United’s summer budget, a midfield three of Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes would be brilliant under Carrick.

Angelo Stiller

Alongside a big-money move for Anderson, United should also look to sign another midfielder.

Manuel Ugarte has failed to justify his £50.5million price tag and finds himself on the fringes under Carrick, getting just 27 minutes of action across the last five games.

United are reportedly looking to offload the combative midfielder in the summer and Carrick may prefer a midfielder in his own mould – like Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller.

Stiller was linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer, with both Christopher Vivell and Jason Wilcox said to be big admirers of the Germany international.

He is widely regarded as one of the best deep-lying playmakers in Europe due to his wide range of passing and ability to dictate the tempo of games.

Carrick should look to reignite United’s interest in the 24-year-old, who is reportedly valued at around £44million.

Lewis Hall

Luke Shaw has been a key player under Amorim and Carrick this season, with the previously injury-prone left-back starting every single Premier League game for United in 2025-26.

But his old injuries have taken their toll and the 30-year-old now lacks the dynamism needed to provide an attacking threat down the left flank.

United may be in the market for a long-term replacement in the summer and Hall should be at the top of their list.

He joined Newcastle from Chelsea in 2023 and has since become a fan favourite at St James’ Park, impressing with a seamless blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair.

The 21-year-old has two England caps to his name and could be in line to start ahead of Shaw at the World Cup this summer.

United would have to pay a big transfer fee to get Hall out of Newcastle, but he has the potential to become one of the best full-backs in Europe.

Yan Diomande

United are well stocked on the right wing with both Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, while young academy graduate Shea Lacey is a talented prospect at Old Trafford.

But Amorim’s decision to sell Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea and let Marcus Rashford join Barcelona on a season-long loan deal has left them without a specialist left winger.

They were looking to sign Antoine Semenyo in the January transfer window before Manchester City won the race for his signature.

Following Carrick’s arrival and the return to the 4-2-3-1 formation, Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha have both been deployed on the left wing.

Dorgu scored in the wins over Manchester City and Arsenal but is still a left-back by trade, and Cunha prefers to drift inside and operate more centrally.

Recent reports suggest that Carrick would like to bring Rashford back to United if he is retained as head coach beyond this season, but that decision may be out of his hands as Barcelona have an option to buy him for £26million.

If Rashford remains in Spain, Carrick will want another winger and United have been linked with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande.

The 19-year-old joined the Bundesliga side last summer and has since registered nine goals and six assists in all competitions, while also terrorising defenders with his pace and trickery.

He is reportedly valued at around £87million and a move to Old Trafford would see him link up with his international teammate Amad.

Danny Welbeck

United invested heavily in Benjamin Sesko last summer, paying RB Leipzig an initial £66.26million and another £7.36million in potential add-ons.

He endured a slow start to life at Old Trafford but has improved following Amorim’s departure, scoring six goals in his last six appearances.

The Slovenia international will be the first-choice centre-forward at United in the long-term, although Carrick has also used Mbeumo and Cunha as false nines.

Joshua Zirkzee is another option, but he has become frustrated by his lack of game time and looks set to return to Serie A at the end of the season.

United will need another recognised striker if they are going to be playing in four competitions next season and a familiar face could be the answer.

Welbeck came through the academy at United and played alongside Carrick before leaving for Arsenal in 2014, and he is now playing for Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 35-year-old has netted nine goals in all competitions in 2025-26, including the winner in the FA Cup third round tie between United and Brighton.

His Brighton contract is due to expire at the end of the season and his experience could make him the perfect understudy to Sesko. As long as they don’t need to play Athletic Bilbao.

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