Manchester United manager Michael Carrick says the club must continue to strengthen during the transfer window, with the club preparing for a return to the Champions League next season and reportedly monitoring Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye.
United could face a busy conclusion to the window as Carrick attempts to build a squad capable of competing on several fronts. The manager guided the team up to third place in the table last season, but recognises that greater depth will be required if they are to challenge in domestic and European competitions.
The club have not made a major addition since signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans as part of a midfield rebuild a month ago. Experienced goalkeeper Karl Darlow has also arrived, while United have brought in several young prospects.
Carrick, however, believes further recruitment is necessary if Manchester United are to fulfil their ambitions.
“We want more, we need more, we keep looking for how we can do that,” he said. “Money’s money, I get that.
“We feel like we have to be pushing for everything we’re involved in, while being realistic of what the recent history’s looked like over a period of time.
“For now, we’ve got to make the most of it, but we’ve got to push every boundary we can to be able to win again, basically. That’s the challenge.”
The comments underline United’s intention to remain active in the market despite their recent lack of transfer activity. Carrick is aiming to ensure his squad has enough quality and numbers to cope with the demands of a Champions League campaign, alongside the club’s domestic commitments.
United are reportedly among several clubs interested in Mbaye, who is 18 and currently with Paris Saint-Germain. The winger is understood to have limited opportunities to establish himself in the PSG first team because of the number of attacking options already available to the French club.
Liverpool’s reported decision to cool their interest in Mbaye has provided United with a potential boost. The Merseyside club are seeking wide players after Mohamed Salah decided to leave Anfield, but their focus is said to have shifted towards Mbaye’s Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Bradley Barcola.
Liverpool have reportedly moved away from a possible deal for Mbaye because of his £42.7m valuation. That could leave Manchester United with a clearer route to pursue the teenager, although they face competition from several other prominent clubs.
Competition for Mbaye
According to Spanish publication AS, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Aston Villa have also made enquiries about Mbaye. The forward scored three goals in 29 appearances last season.
Paris Saint-Germain’s decision to agree a deal to sign Ferran Torres from Barcelona for about the same fee could also improve United’s chances of completing a move for Mbaye. The French club’s investment in another attacking player may further restrict the teenager’s prospects of regular first-team football.
United have already signed Santos, Tielemans and Darlow during the current recruitment drive, but Carrick’s message is that the squad still requires additions. With the club returning to the Champions League next season, the manager wants Manchester United to push as hard as possible to compete for major honours while remaining realistic about the team’s recent history.
