Carrick's line-up points to summer plans
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick offered a telling hint towards his plans for the summer transfer window through his starting line-up against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
United came from behind to beat the Spanish side 2-1 in Sweden thanks to two goals from Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroon international scored from the penalty spot to make it 1-1 after Shea Lacey was fouled before bundling in a second from Jack Fletcher's low cross.
There were plenty of encouraging signs for Carrick, who has also overseen a 5-0 win over Rosenborg and a 1-0 defeat by Wrexham so far in pre-season. Further friendlies are scheduled against Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds and AC Milan before United begin their 2026/27 campaign against newly-promoted Hull City on August 22.
United have used the summer transfer window to recruit Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow, while a handful of players have left already. But it's clear that there is still more work to do, and that the current squad on pre-season tour isn't the one Carrick wants to start the campaign with.
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There were two changes to the starting XI from the United boss, with Radek Vitek and Joshua Zirkzee dropping out for Tom Heaton and Amad. Zirkzee scored and assisted in the thrashing of Rosenborg, yet only got 17 minutes as a substitute against Atletico Madrid, with Carrick prioritising playing time for others.
The Dutch striker is on the transfer list and United hope to find a buyer for a player who has managed just nine goals in 75 appearances since making a £36.5million move to Old Trafford two years ago. Juventus are reportedly interested in Zirkzee, whose future is currently up in the air.
Vitek's status in the squad is clear, with United signing Darlow on a free transfer to become Senne Lammens' back-up. The 22-year-old impressed on loan with Bristol City last season and has no shortage of suitors, although his £10m valuation is yet to be reached. United are keen to cash in and reinvest the cash elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Altay Bayindir was not involved at all against Atleti, with Heaton, Vitek and youngster Dermot Mee the three goalkeepers chosen by Carrick. Bayindir conducted a training session prior the game in Stockholm before taking a seat behind the dugout to watch proceedings.
Manchester Evening News reports that Bayindir is keen to leave United this summer to find regular minutes and that Celta Vigo are keen to sign the Turkey international on a season-long loan deal, while a Turkish side could sign him permanently. Bayindir has made just 17 appearances for United since joining for £4.3m in 2023.
He played second fiddle to Andre Onana initially before Lammens' arrival last season made it clear he wouldn't get a chance as No.1.
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