Michael Carrick has admitted Manchester United are not finished in the transfer market this summer, though he made clear the club has no intention of matching the extravagant spending seen elsewhere in the Premier League.
Speaking at United's pre-season training camp in the Republic of Ireland, Carrick addressed the club's transfer business, which has so far totalled around £85 million. United have brought in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow this window, yet remain the only club among the Premier League's traditional 'big six' never to have paid a £100 million fee for a single player.
The additions in midfield were largely a response to Casemiro's exit, with Carrick keen to bolster squad depth as United prepare for a return to Champions League football next season. Despite the modest outlay compared to rivals, Carrick expressed satisfaction with the players brought in.
"I think we've done really good business and we've got really some top, top, top players," Carrick said. "We're delighted with that. We always want to improve. We want more, we need more, we keep looking for how we can do that. That never stops."
His comments come against a backdrop of significant spending across the league. Chelsea have paid £117 million for Morgan Rogers, Manchester City spent £116 million on Elliott Anderson, and Tottenham are closing in on a deal for Sandro Tonali that could reach £100 million. Carrick acknowledged the financial gulf but insisted United's focus remains elsewhere.
"Money's money, I get that," he said. "It's still about the football, and that's where the competition lies. Certainly the situation is what it is as well, whether that's finances or whatever. For now, we've got to make the most of it, but we've got to keep pushing and push everything and every boundary that we can to be able to win again."
When pressed on why United have not matched the spending of their competitors, Carrick was candid about the limitations he faces. "To be honest, I haven't got the answers for that. We're working with pushing everything that we can to make the best of it," he said.
Attention has also turned to Marcus Rashford's future at Old Trafford. The 28-year-old England winger has rejoined United training this week following the World Cup, after Barcelona decided not to trigger their option to sign him permanently following last season's loan spell. His long-term status at the club remains uncertain, but Carrick was quick to shut down suggestions that Rashford could be sold.
"He's our player, and he's a good player and he gives us something a little bit different in the group," Carrick said. "Marcus can offer us so much. He has done, and he can do again, so in that respect it's quite exciting."
Several United players have publicly backed the squad's chances of challenging for the Premier League title next season — which would be a 21st league crown and first since 2013. Carrick, while optimistic, stopped short of making bold guarantees.
"We've definitely got the potential to achieve something really special," he said. "I'm not hiding from the fact, and we should aim to do that, but I can't give you a definite answer on that. It's certainly what we're pushing to do because we have to, because that's the club we are."
Carrick, who initially took charge on an interim basis after Ruben Amorim's departure in January before signing a two-year deal in May, dismissed any suggestion that his permanent status would change how he is evaluated. "I'm not fussed," he said. "Doesn't bother me anyway. I'm just going about trying to win and trying to do the right thing for the football club."
Based on reporting from The Independent.