Man Utd have made six signings, let 14 players leave and could still secure seven transfers

Michael Carrick’s Manchester United have maintained their summer momentum, with six arrivals and 14 departures already confirmed as the club edges closer to the new Premier League season. The activity underscores a clear strategy: strengthen the squad while clearing dead weight before the August 22 opener against Hull City. United’s transfer business has been relentless, with Carrick prioritising midfield reinforcement and defensive restructuring while shedding high-earning veterans.

Six in, 14 out — the shape of Carrick’s rebuild

United’s incoming class includes midfielder Andrey Santos, signed from Chelsea for £50 million, and Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans, who joined for £35 million after United triggered his release clause. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow arrived on a free transfer from Leeds, while academy prospects Tynan Thompson and Kit Margetson bolstered the youth ranks. Cristian Orozco, 18, was the latest addition, joining from Fortaleza CEIF to gain experience in England. The departures have been equally decisive: Casemiro left for Inter Miami on a free transfer, removing a £350,000 weekly wage from the books, while Jadon Sancho’s contract expired alongside those of 12 others. The clear-out extends beyond wages, with the club also moving to offload fringe players like Di’Shon Bernard and Ethan Galbraith to Championship sides.

The departures reflect Carrick’s intent to reshape the squad’s profile, prioritising younger, more flexible profiles over high-earning veterans. The midfield additions of Santos and Tielemans—both capable of playing in multiple positions—provide tactical versatility, while Darlow’s arrival gives United a reliable third-choice option in goal behind André Onana and Altay Bayindir. The club’s willingness to invest in academy talent like Orozco also signals a long-term commitment to developing homegrown players, a shift from the club’s recent spending habits.

Lewis-Skelly emerges as a potential left-back solution

Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly has become a focal point in United’s transfer planning after intermediaries proposed a deal to both Chelsea and United. The 19-year-old, who featured in midfield for Arsenal last season under Mikel Arteta, offers a potential long-term successor to Luke Shaw at left-back. Newcastle’s Lewis Hall remains a primary target, but reports suggest United are inching closer to winning that race after the defender rejected a return to Chelsea. The Gunners’ apparent willingness to consider offers for Lewis-Skelly—despite his limited first-team experience—highlights United’s leverage in negotiations, with Arsenal potentially needing to balance their books following the £75m Bruno Guimarães deal.

United’s left-back search has intensified as Shaw’s future remains uncertain. The club’s pursuit of Hall, combined with the Lewis-Skelly option, signals a dual-track approach to addressing a position that has lacked stability since Shaw’s injury troubles began. Whether through a permanent deal or a loan, United appear determined to secure a solution before the transfer window slams shut. The urgency is compounded by Shaw’s ongoing rehabilitation from a groin injury, which has ruled him out of pre-season and casts doubt over his availability for the season opener.

The squad’s readiness and what comes next

United have already played three pre-season fixtures, including a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain where Bryan Mbeumo scored his third goal in two games. Marcus Rashford, back from a difficult spell under Erik ten Hag, has returned for pre-season and is described as “excited” to work under Carrick. The manager’s focus now turns to finalising the remaining transfers, with further additions expected in defence and attack. Reports suggest United are targeting at least two more permanent signings, with defensive reinforcements a priority following the departures of Victor Lindelöf and Lisandro Martínez.

Speculation around managerial appointments has also surfaced, with reports of talks with former Hearts manager Eva Olid as a potential assistant. While such moves are secondary to squad recruitment, they underscore Carrick’s broader efforts to overhaul the club’s structure. The window’s closing stages will reveal whether United can complete their ambitious reshuffle in time, with the club’s hierarchy aware that the new season offers no margin for error after a disappointing 2023/24 campaign.

Carrick’s United are operating with purpose this summer, balancing youth with experience while clearing financial clutter. The next fortnight will determine whether the club can add the final pieces to a puzzle that, if assembled correctly, could signal a fresh start under their former captain. The squad’s depth—particularly in midfield—has improved significantly, but the true test will come in competitive fixtures, starting with the trip to Hull City on August 22.