Carrick is riding high right now, but an iffy, slow start to next term will pile the pressure back on again, with the usual naysayers likely to point to the Englishman's lack of experience as a reason for concern.
To avoid such a scenario, United and INEOS need to ensure that this summer is a success on the recruitment front, with the Old Trafford side seemingly putting in the groundwork already to ensure Carrick's squad is sufficiently strengthened over the coming months.
Man Utd in ongoing talks to sign another midfielder alongside Ederson
The window hasn't officially opened yet, although the Red Devils appear to be inching ever closer to a deal for Atalanta's Ederson by all accounts, with club officials flying out to Italy in an attempt to thrash out a deal.
The Brazilian might well be the first through the door, but he certainly won't be the only one, with as many as three midfielders potentially set to arrive, depending on Manuel Ugarte's future at the club.
With Ederson out of contract next year, this may well prove to be a relatively routine deal to complete, although that can't be said for everyone, particularly INEOS' leading targets.
Indeed, as reported by Fabrizio Romano - speaking on his YouTube channel - the Red Devils are still working to try and sign their number one option, Elliot Anderson, even with Manchester City currently leading the race.
According to Romano, talks are ongoing from United's perspective, with the club said to be making constant calls as they try to pip their neighbours to the 23-year-old's signature.
With Anderson - who could command a fee of around £120m - set to head to the upcoming World Cup with England, time is of the essence with regard to securing an early agreement.
How Anderson compares to Ederson in United's midfield search
Ederson, a key part of the Atalanta side that claimed Europa League glory back in 2024, is a talent, no doubt about it, although the key concern is likely to be his lack of prior Premier League experience.
Senne Lammens bucks the trend, although United did see the benefits of prioritising players who have already impressed in English football, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both hitting double figures for league goals this season.
Whether Ederson - who did miss out on Brazil's World Cup squad - can slot in quite as seamlessly remains to be seen, with recent Serie A imports not exactly impressing, be it Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee.
The same cannot be said of Anderson, however, with the in-demand Geordie having sparkled over the past two seasons at Nottingham Forest, emerging as a real dependable figure alongside compatriot, Morgan Gibbs-White.
Set to be Declan Rice's partner for England this summer, despite only making his debut back in September, the former Newcastle United man looks like a player on the rise, someone who an elite club could build their team around for the next five to ten years.
That might seem an exaggeration for a player who was on loan in League Two as recently as 2022/23, but United saw first-hand the talent Anderson possesses this season.
Back in November, for instance, the Englishman ran the show in the 2-2 draw at the City Ground, having also caught the eye in the 3-2 thriller earlier this month, notching two delightful assists on the day.
Anderson vs Man Utd (25/26)
2-2
Stat
3-2
|
90
|
Minutes
|
90
|
|
84
|
Touches
|
110
|
|
75%
|
Pass accuracy
|
89%
|
|
|
Big chances created
|
2
|
|
3
|
Key passes
|
3
|
|
|
Assists
|
2
|
|
2/2
|
Succ. dribbles
|
3/5
|
|
7/14
|
Total duels won
|
9/15
|
|
25
|
Ball lost
|
16
|
On the day in which Casemiro waved farewell to the Theatre of Dreams, it looked like Anderson was putting himself in prime place to be the Brazilian's successor, even while remaining cagey over his future.
Any deal would potentially require a record deal for a Premier League midfielder, eclipsing Rice's £105m move to Arsenal, but at a time when United need quality just as much as they need quantity, paying a premium could be what it takes.
Indeed, when comparing him to the aforementioned Ederson, there really isn't much of a contest.
For example, Anderson comes out on top across a string of attacking metrics, be it goals (four vs two), assists (four vs one), big chances created (nine vs three) and key passes per game (1.4 vs 0.8), evidently the more progressive option.
Defensively too, the Forest man is more than up to the task in the rigours of the Premier League, again bettering Ederson with regard to tackles (2.7 vs 2.0), interceptions (1.1 vs 0.9) and ball recoveries (8.1 vs 4.4).
The South American, it must be said, has the physical attributes to be able to flourish himself alongside Kobbie Mainoo and co, although Anderson is simply a step above - a true all-rounder.
A standout summer at the World Cup could only enhance his status and price tag even further, ensuring United need to remain persistent over the coming weeks.
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