Manchester United may hand Michael Carrick a £104m transfer budget

Manchester Evening News reported on May 20 that Manchester United could raise about £104 million through player sales this summer, in a calculation tied to possible departures rather than confirmed deals. The figure, published as part of the club’s transfer coverage, was presented as money that could give head coach Michael Carrick more room in the market if a series of exits goes through. No formal bids were cited in the report. Manchester United’s own website says Carrick was appointed head coach on January 13 until the end of the 2025/26 season. ### Where does the £104 million number come from? Manchester Evening News based the £104 million total on a basket of potential outgoing transfers rather than a club announcement or a filed financial target. The report, published on May 20, listed expected departures and estimated fees, according to the article summary and MEN’s own framing. It did not say Manchester United had already secured offers at those levels. (manutd.com) The distinction matters because transfer-window totals often mix club valuations, media estimates and market expectations. MEN’s figure should be read as a projection of what United might generate if several sales are completed, not as a declared transfer fund from the club. ### Why is Michael Carrick attached to this discussion? (manchestereveningnews.co.uk) Manchester United said on January 13 that Carrick had been appointed head coach of the men’s first team until the end of the 2025/26 season. The club’s official staff page identifies him as head coach, and MEN reported on April 13 that Carrick had been involved in summer recruitment discussions alongside football executives Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell. (manchestereveningnews.co.uk) Carrick also described himself as part of the club’s decision-making. “Certainly, in the role I’m in, there’s decisions that need taking care of,” MEN quoted him as saying in its April 13 report. That report said he had an active role in transfer planning even though his contract runs only to the end of the season. (manutd.com) ### Is this an actual transfer budget yet? Manchester United has not publicly announced a £104 million transfer budget. The number in circulation comes from MEN’s estimate of possible sales proceeds, not from a club release, investor filing or regulatory disclosure. Manchester United’s latest available investor materials show the club discussing broader finances rather than a summer transfer pot. (manchestereveningnews.co.uk) In second-quarter fiscal 2026 results released on February 25, the club reported £32.6 million in operating profit for the first six months of the fiscal year and said it remained committed to Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules and UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations. Chief executive Omar Berrada said the club would “take a football first approach” and continue to invest in its men’s and women’s first teams. ### What does United’s current squad picture tell us? Manchester United’s current men’s team page still lists players who have been repeatedly linked with uncertain futures, including Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, Altay Bayindir and Casemiro. The club’s news page also carried a “Farewell, Casemiro!” item within the past day, indicating at least one senior exit has already moved from speculation toward confirmation. (ir.manutd.com) MEN has separately reported that Carrick has been involved in decisions affecting squad planning, including contract and recruitment calls. That does not establish which players will leave or what fees they would command, but it does show his role extends beyond match preparation. ### What should readers watch next? (manutd.com) Manchester United’s next hard datapoint is financial rather than sporting rumor. The club’s investor relations site said on May 13 that it would announce a date for its third-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings report, which should provide an updated snapshot of revenues, profitability and compliance language around spending rules. The transfer side will turn on named bids, agreed fees and official departure announcements. (manchestereveningnews.co.uk) Until those appear, the £104 million figure remains a media estimate attached to a set of possible sales rather than money already banked by Manchester United. (ir.manutd.com)