Jamie Carragher offers Man Utd transfer hope after Brighton loss & backs Erik ten Hag

Jamie Carragher has said Manchester United’s transfer window cannot be judged until the market closes on 1 September.

The Red Devils’ summer activty has come under heavy scrutiny since the loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, with suggestions Erik ten Hag has not been backed in the market.

Meanwhile, there has been a negative response to reports that United were interested in signing Adrien Rabiot and Marko Arnautovic, although it’s been widely reported the club have pulled out of a deal for the latter.

Despite that, Carragher feels it’s unrealistic to expect United to be able to attract top-tier stars to Old Trafford at present.

Writing in his Sky Sports column, the former Liverpool defender said: “I still think Manchester United will improve on last season. You can’t see it getting any worse with their points that they got and the goals they conceded. The window’s not closed, they’ve still got a couple of weeks to get some players in.

There’s a criticism of the players they’re trying to bring in, but I’ve been in that position myself at Liverpool when you’re trying to chase the top teams and at times you have to think: ‘Should I take a chance on this player?’. Whereas a Liverpool or a Manchester City don’t have to take those chances. That’s the benefit of being successful.

“You can’t judge the squad until the window’s closed and you’ll see where they go from there. Ten Hag has got a great pedigree in what he did with Ajax and how good they were in the Champions League. He built two teams there - so you have to keep the faith with the manager.”

Carragher also opined that one big difference between United and Brighton was the latter had benefitted from playing under Graham Potter for a number of years, while the Red Devils are still adapting to Ten Hag’s tactics.

Two first-half goals for Pascal Gross wrapped up the three points for the Seagulls at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the 2022/23 Premier League season, while Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister netted an own-goal in the 68th minute.