Manchester United's manager, Michael Carrick, has defended the club's summer transfer activities, asserting that they conducted "really good business" despite receiving criticism for not securing defensive players.

The club allocated approximately £150 million to £163 million to revitalize the midfield, acquiring talents such as Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans, and Andrey Santos.
The emphasis was on restructuring Carrick’s midfield, particularly following Casemiro's exit and a significant injury to Manuel Ugarte, which was addressed by the acquisitions of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba for a combined total of £155 million ($210 million).
In contrast, United's primary competitors expended nearly the entirety of that budget on a single player, with Manchester City establishing a new British transfer record for Enzo Fernandez, while Liverpool committed up to £123 million for French winger Bradley Barcola.
Despite returning to the Champions League after a three-season absence, Carrick recognized the necessity of operating within financial limitations.
"We entered the transfer window aiming to emerge stronger than the group we had last season. We’ve certainly added to that," Carrick stated during a pre-match press conference prior to Sunday’s match against Everton.
"I believe we’ve accomplished a great deal in that regard, and the circumstances are what they are concerning finances and what we can work with, as well as what we’re striving to maximize.
  "I am genuinely pleased with the players we’ve integrated into the squad, and I think we’ve executed some commendable business there."
  United seems particularly deficient in defense, with the injury-prone Luke Shaw being their only senior left-back option.

"What squad is ever perfect? There are always ways to adapt," Carrick remarked.
"When you’re in the process of building and striving to advance during a period where we aim to reach the top – that’s the ultimate objective – you must take steps."

Joshua Zirkzee was among those anticipated to depart Old Trafford to enhance the financial resources available.
Despite interest from Fiorentina and Juventus and a deadline-day approach from Everton, the Netherlands international remains at United despite limited game time over the past two seasons.After a dreadful 2-0 defeat at newly-promoted Hull on the opening weekend of the season, United bounced back to thrash Ipswich 5-2 thanks to Bruno Fernandes’s hat-trick last time out.