Their arrival was partly determined by Carrick’s willingness to release Casemiro on a free transfer. The Brazilian is expected to move to MLS, with four other star players set to depart with him. Rasmus Hojlund, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malasia and Andre Onana.
Contracts for Malasia, Sancho and Casemiro all fell apart in the summer, with the latter announcing his decision in January. Meanwhile, Hojlund’s loan spell at Napoli was made permanent after the Serie A club activated a £38m release clause.
Onana also extended his loan to Trabzonspor for another season after helping them finish third in the Super Lig and win the Turkish Cup. This means that manager Carrick has so far allowed five first-team players to leave the club, and three new senior players have been confirmed to join, meaning that the club’s reforms are accelerating in earnest.
Since leaving United, Malasia has yet to sign a new club and remains on the free agent market. Celtic and Napoli had previously shown interest.
Sancho has been linked with a return to Borussia Dortmund in 2024 after an impressive loan spell with United. Casemiro is reportedly set to link up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, and is also in talks with MLS side LA Galaxy.
With these five players taken off the payroll and a hefty £830,000-a-week salary, Carrick will be able to focus on further reinforcements to strengthen his squad. Midfielder Santos is the first summer signing, penning a five-year contract initially worth £48 million.
They then shrewdly acquired goalkeeper Darlow, who had joined on a free transfer from Leeds. The club strengthened their midfield options with the signing of former Aston Villa star Tielemans for a fee of £35 million.
Winger Tynan Thompson has also joined from Spurs and is expected to split his time between the first team and the Under-21s.
Still, United are keen to sign several star players to continue their rebuild, including Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.
The Scot has turned down a new deal with Bournemouth, which no doubt increases United’s chances of signing him this summer. The Cherries expect the midfielder to remain at the club this year, but Carrick remains determined.
United are thought to face competition from Arsenal and Chelsea for the midfielder, but his refusal to sign a new contract could indicate an appetite for a move.
