Carrick speaks out on potential Man Utd exits with Rashford, Ugarte and Zirkzee having all been strongly tipped to go

MICHAEL CARRICK does not expect any Manchester United players to leave before the transfer window closes. United have struggled to sell any senior players this summer, with goalkeeper Radek Vitek the most high-profile departure to Middlesbrough for £7million. Vitek, 22, never debuted for United. Michael Carrick has been busy in the transfer market this summer Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK Joshua Zirkzee is among those who’ve been tipped to go Credit: Getty The club were unable to shift Manuel Ugarte after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at the World Cup while Barcelona opted against buying Marcus Rashford. United would be prepared to let Joshua Zirkzee go but are not expecting any movement and Carrick revealed that even Zirkzee has not asked to leave. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! “Not to me, no,” Carrick said. “I don’t know what’s going to come out. I don’t know what’s going to come at us from elsewhere. “We can control what we can control. I’m really happy with the squad we’ve got so far, and if not, we want to improve it.” United are keen to sign a midfielder and a left back before the 11pm deadline on September 1, having bid for Brighton enforcer Carlos Baleba. The club enquired about Newcastle left back Lewis Hall and have been offered Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly. Sources expect a deal to be finalised for Baleba, 22, after United enquired about the Cameroon international a year ago. United had always intended to bring in three midfielders this summer and signed Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos for a combined £85m last month. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Baleba is expected to command a higher fee than the initial £65m United offered, so their investment on central midfield alone would be north of £150m. Carrick confirmed United are “working towards” another recruit to offset the release of Casemiro in June. “As I said before, we’re trying to improve the squad all the time,” he added. “We’re working towards that. “I think largely we’ve got a really good balance within the group. As it stands now, we’ve got some very good, top midfielders to choose from. “So I think we’ve improved that. As I said, since the start of the window to the end, we’ll see what happens. “We want to finish stronger as the window closes, so we’re working towards that. “Players have always come and gone through history here, and you’ve got to evolve, you’ve got to find ways of moving forward, you’ve got to find ways of winning, essentially. “I know we’ve got a good midfield. We’ve brought in some really, really top players and really good characters, which is important.” United’s midfield overhaul was certain to be drastic, with Kobbie Mainoo their only senior available option heading into July. Santos started all six pre-season friendlies and Tielemans figured in three after his post-World Cup break. Baleba is currently nursing an ankle injury and would be unlikely to debut until next month if United can strike a deal with Brighton. “I think the foundation of the team is important to be consistent,” Carrick explained. “To be consistent through one game from start to finish, to be consistent over a period of time. Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with Old Trafford exits Credit: AFP Manuel Ugarte could very well be surplus to requirements when he’s fit again Credit: GETTY “I think you need a solid foundation through the middle of the team and trying and putting it together and getting that balance. “But certainly, I think if you look at all the top teams over the years, all the great teams over the years, the spine of the team is really strong. “So we’re conscious of that, and I think we’ve got a good spine of the team right now. “We can keep improving as we go in different ways and coaching and helping the boys and developing them, and I think we’re in a good place.” United spent as much on Santos and Tielemans as Tottenham paid West Ham for Mateus Fernandes, United’s prime target. After the £116m Elliot Anderson deal inflated the market, United turned to Chelsea squad player Santos and Tielemans, who had a £35m release clause. Michael Carrick doesn’t expect their to be any departures from Old Trafford Credit: ALAMY Carrick is pleased with the club’s dealings in the transfer market this summer Credit: REUTERS Carrick stopped short of criticising the extreme fees paid for some midfielders but is pleased with the value of Santos and Tielemans. “Certainly players have gone for and been more expensive,” Carrick noted. “I think that’s pretty obvious. “We’re delighted with the two that we’ve brought in and for the money, of course. “But actually take [the money] away, I’m delighted that we’ve got them. “Two fantastic players give us really good balance, give us a lot within the team, offer us different things. “So, certainly, for the value that we feel we’ve got, I think we’ve done very well with those two especially.” Comment now