Michael Carrick, the former Manchester United midfielder, is looking to secure a central midfielder as his first signing for the club. This move comes as United aims to bolster their squad ahead of the 2026-27 season, a period that remains uncertain for the team’s midfield composition.
Recent Midfield Signings
Since Carrick joined Manchester United from Tottenham Hotspur in July 2006 for £18.6 million, the club has invested heavily in midfield players. Below is a summary of notable signings:
| Name | Transfer Fee | Club Joined From | Date | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manuel Ugarte | £42.3m | PSG | August 2024 | 69 | 2 |
| Mason Mount | £55m | Chelsea | June 2023 | 72 | 7 |
| Sofyan Amrabat | Loan | Fiorentina | September 2023 | 30 | 0 |
| Casemiro | £70m | Real Madrid | August 2022 | 160 | 26 |
| Christian Eriksen | Free | – | July 2022 | 107 | 8 |
| Marcel Sabitzer | Loan | Bayern Munich | January 2023 | 18 | 3 |
| Donny van de Beek | £35m | Ajax | September 2020 | 62 | 2 |
| Fred | £47m | Shakhtar Donetsk | June 2018 | 212 | 14 |
| Nemanja Matic | £40m | Chelsea | July 2017 | 189 | 4 |
| Paul Pogba | £89m | Juventus | August 2016 | 224 | 39 |
| Henrik Mkhitaryan | £27m | Borussia Dortmund | July 2016 | 63 | 13 |
| Morgan Schneiderlin | £22m | Southampton | July 2015 | 47 | 1 |
| Bastian Schweinsteiger | £14.4m | Bayern Munich | July 2015 | 35 | 2 |
| Ander Herrera | £29m | Athletic Bilbao | June 2014 | 189 | 20 |
| Marouane Fellaini | £27.5m | Everton | September 2013 | 177 | 22 |
| Paul Scholes | Free | – | January 2012 | 42 | 5 |
| Anderson | £26m | Porto | July 2007 | 179 | 9 |
| Owen Hargreaves | £17m | Bayern Munich | July 2007 | 39 | 2 |
In total, Manchester United has spent £541.2 million on 18 midfield signings since Carrick’s arrival.
Midfield Academy Graduates
United’s academy has also produced several midfield talents since 2006. Here’s a summary of notable graduates:
| Name | Debut Date | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Cleverley | August 2011 | 79 | 5 |
| Paul Pogba | September 2011 | 7 | 0 |
| Scott McTominay | May 2017 | 255 | 29 |
| James Garner | February 2019 | 7 | 0 |
| Kobbie Mainoo | January 2023 | 102 | 8 |
| Toby Collyer | August 2024 | 13 | 0 |
| Jack Fletcher | December 2025 | 3 | 0 |
| Tyler Fletcher | February 2026 | 2 | 0 |
Michael Carrick’s emphasis on central midfielders will be crucial for enhancing Manchester United’s performance in the coming seasons. The club is determined to make impactful changes to their squad as they prepare for future competitions.
