Transfers
Carrick’s left‑back gamble tests INEOS’s £155 million summer spend
Michael Carrick has begun his first‑ever tactical experiment as Manchester United manager by starting Patrick Dorgu at left‑back for the Champions League opener against Sabah FK, a move that puts the club’s £155 million summer midfield overhaul – including Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans – under immediate scrutiny.
Securing a third‑place finish in the Premier League last season earned United a Champions League place, but also exposed the limits of a squad that had been assembled on a caretaker’s modest budget. Carrick therefore turned to the transfer market to add quality in areas that could sustain a campaign across the Premier League, the Champions League and domestic cups.
INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, approved a spending package of around £155 million to rebuild the midfield, believing that few attractive alternatives were available and that a permanent appointment of Carrick required tangible backing. The investment brought in Baleba, Santos and Tielemans, all aimed at providing creativity and depth for the multiple competitions United now face.
Despite the sizeable outlay, United’s recruitment remained thin elsewhere. Only backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow and a handful of teenagers joined the squad, leaving the left‑back position especially vulnerable. Luke Shaw, who performed consistently under Carrick, is now described as a “ticking time bomb”, and a potential £75 million move for Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall fell through, leaving the club without a clear long‑term solution.
Instead of signing a specialist, Carrick argued that the existing pool – Patrick Dorgu, Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot – could cover the role, even though none are natural left‑backs. Dorgu, who has shown more comfort as a winger, will make his first start in the position on Thursday night, a test that could determine whether the club’s defensive options are sufficient.
Implications for Carrick and the owners
If Dorgu manages the duties against the modest opposition presented by Sabah, the experiment may validate Carrick’s flexible approach and justify INEOS’s summer spending. Conversely, a poor performance could amplify criticism of the limited recruitment and place additional pressure on Carrick’s tenure.
For Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, the outcome of this early match will be a barometer of whether their £155 million midfield investment translates into broader squad stability, shaping future transfer strategies and the manager’s freedom to act.