Why first 10 days of new season could tell us a lot about Man Utd
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- Carrick called the "favourable start" narrative "ridiculous," pointing to opening fixtures against newly promoted Hull and Ipswich in the first two matchdays.
- Manchester United are negotiating with Brighton for midfielder Carlos Baleba after completing Youri Tielemans' £35m move from Aston Villa on 14 July.
- For six straight seasons, United have brought in at least one senior player on or near deadline day — including Antony (2022, £81.3m), Manuel Ugarte (2024, £50.8m), and Cristiano Ronaldo (2021).
- Only twice before (2001 and 2009) have United opened a Premier League campaign against two promoted sides, and they won neither opening pair of fixtures.
- United last began a Premier League season with consecutive wins in 2017-18 under Jose Mourinho; the 2022-23 campaign opened with consecutive defeats, triggering a £150m deadline-day spree on Casemiro and Antony.
- Carrick refused to rule out a title push, saying: "I would never say we can't," though United have not mounted a title challenge in 13 seasons.
Why it matters: United fans expecting both early-season clarity and completed transfer business are likely to be frustrated on both fronts — Carrick is publicly tempering expectations while the club continues its six-year pattern of leaving major signings until the final hours, with the window closing 23:00 BST on 1 September.
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