Man Utd taking Deadline Day GAMBLE

Robin Bairner

2 Feb 2026 11:25 GMT
4 min read

Michael Carrick, Man Utd, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Manchester United are ready to take a Deadline Day gamble having enjoyed a resurgence under Michael Carrick – and it’s set to be a decision that will split the fanbase.

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Man Utd have long been linked with a new central midfielder, but no such player is expected to arrive before the deadline.

Indeed, the Red Devils are not expected to conduct any business when it comes to making signings, and this in itself represents a massive gamble for the Champions League-chasing Old Trafford side.

Carrick to get no support

Carrick has made a strong start in the Man Utd dugout, recording successive wins over Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham, but that does not mean that squad enhancement should be ignored.

Particularly in midfield, the Red Devils look short in numbers. Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo have formed an impressive partnership, but beyond this duo, Carrick can only call upon the out-of-form Manuel Ugarte as senior support.

One injury to either of these stars and suddenly, United will find themselves in big trouble.

Compared

Casemiro

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

Casemiro

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

VS

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

Kobbie Mainoo

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

€7.2M	ETV	€61.4M
€6.1M - €8.3M	ETV Range	€55.3M - €67.6M
33 years old (23 Feb, 1992)	Age	20 years old (19 Apr, 2005)
Brazil	Nationality	England

Ineos gambling

The margins between success and failure for Man Utd this season look like they will be thin. Liverpool and Chelsea are both teams coming into form, as the race for a top-five finish that will likely secure Champions League football heats up.

While their direct rivals in this race do have European football to contend with, they also have far deeper squads than United, who have set their minds on recruiting a world-class performer next summer as opposed to a stop-gap player more immediately.

© IMAGO - Man Utd fans protest against Ineos

It’s a calculated risk from the board, which perhaps feels that United’s lack of games – they will only play another 14 this season – does not justify the arrival of another player. But it is a call that also leaves them open to further criticism from the fans, who wore clown masks in protest against them at the weekend.

Ineos has earned itself a reputation as a penny-pinching owner since taking control of the club in February 2024, and it seems to have left Man Utd a soldier to fortune in the race to qualify for the Champions League next term.

Man Utd’s Champions League hopes – and the big payday the club hopes it will bring – now seem to rest on Casemiro and Mainoo staying healthy.

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