Manchester United will look at trying to strengthen in the January transfer window, according to head coach Michael Carrick, as the club draw up plans to improve the defence over the next year. Lisandro Martinez this week publicly called out the club's hierarchy for a lack of investment in the summer window, in which United (£163m) were outspent by promoted sides Hull (£173m) and Ipswich (£211m) despite qualifying for the Champions League. United focused on the midfield rebuild, bringing in Youri Tielemans (£35m), Andrey Santos (£50m) and Carlos Baleba (£70m) for a combined £155m, rather than addressing the lack of depth at left-back and up front.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said Carrick had been left short in defence after the window, and an injury to Luke Shaw has now exposed United's scarcity of options, with youngster Ayden Heaven deputising out of position at left-back. Despite United's restraint in the summer market, Carrick, who is under mounting pressure amid a five-game winless run, has told Sky Sports there is a desire to be active for any opportunities that might arise in January. "When the next transfer window comes, you want to plan and you want to make the best of it," said Carrick ahead of Sunday's trip to Leeds, live on Sky Sports.
"Whatever that looks like at this stage, we don't quite know. But without doubt, there's opportunity because the transfer window is open. "So we'll definitely be looking at that and trying to come out stronger in whatever way that looks like." United plan to focus on revamping their defence in the next transfer windows in the third stage of their squad-building process, which has seen the attack and midfield addressed over the last two seasons.
Sky Sports News understands United are looking at new centre-backs, as well as left-backs. In the summer, United explored potential options in their search for a long-term successor to Luke Shaw, who is out of contract at the end of the current season. England international Lewis Hall was the main focus at left-back, but Newcastle were adamant that he was not for sale after allowing a number of big-name players to leave.
Hall has since signed a long-term contract at Newcastle. There are also doubts around Martinez's future at Old Trafford. The Argentina international's current deal, which expires at the end of this season, includes a club-held option to extend for a further year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player United's last trip to Elland Road spelt the end for Carrick's predecessor, Ruben Amorim, but the man currently in the Old Trafford hot seat believes he will be given time to shape this team despite the poor results this season. Four defeats from the first nine games of the season has cast doubt over Carrick's job security with United in the bottom half of the Premier League table after six games. Asked if he thinks he will get time, Carrick said: "I do, yeah.
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