Michael Carrick hints at late Man Utd transfer with three-word comment | Football | Sport

Michael Carrick said “never say never” about a potential Manchester United signing before Monday’s transfer deadline, following the setback of Patrick Dorgu’s hamstring injury. Dorgu had been delivering impressive performances for United, featuring as a starter in the last two matches on the left flank and finding the net against both Manchester City and Arsenal.

However, the Danish international now faces a couple of months on the sidelines after sustaining the injury at the Emirates. Throughout January, United have maintained their stance that they would only pursue players who fit their long-term recruitment strategy, and whilst the likelihood appeared to be diminishing, Carrick indicated that discussions regarding potential additions were ongoing.

“We’re just working through it,” he said. “Never say never because a lot can happen and situations can be thrown up, sometimes it’s in our control and sometimes it’s not.”

“We’re calm, we’ve shown what we’re capable of doing as a team. We’ll see what the next few days brings.”

Carrick downplayed speculation surrounding departures, with Joshua Zirkzee now recovered from injury despite attracting loan enquiries this month, though he acknowledged that losing an in-form player like Dorgu was a setback.

“It’s not ideal, of course it’s not, we don’t want to lose good players from the group,” said Carrick. “That is part of having a squad and assembling a squad. We’ve got players who can do that, it’s the nature of the beast, unfortunately.”