Michael Carrick has insisted that Manchester United can compete with their Premier League rivals in the title race – despite being outspent to a dramatic degree.
United bought three midfielders this summer for an initial cost of £148m but Manchester City’s outlay was about three times as much, including the joint British record signing of Enzo Fernandez for £125m, and Chelsea paid out more than £300m, with a £117m deal for Morgan Rogers.
But Carrick believes money is no guarantee of success on the pitch and takes heart from his belief his squad is stronger than they were last season, when they took the most points after his January return to Old Trafford.
He said: “I certainly feel we can compete. I think the challenge is just getting the right dynamics, getting the right balance, getting the right group together, getting the best players in the group to enhance the rest of the group, whether you need experience, some younger players. The actual amount of money in the end, I understand it can be a big thing. It doesn’t always have to be the answer, but it can be.
“It’s up to us to do the work and get the best out of the group. We’ve strengthened the group from what we had last season, and we finished the season really strong. We’re really positive with where we can get to.
“Money’s one thing, what you do with it is another thing, how you make the most of it is another thing. It’s about what happens on the pitch at the end of the day
“There’s a freshness around the group, there’s an excitement around the group, which is really encouraging. I’ll be honest, there’s a hunger and a feeling of wanting to achieve something.”
