Published Sep 28, 2026, 11:40 AM GMT+1

The Manchester United boss will use the remaining two weeks to work on a solution to his side's problems and if that solution still fails to arrive, then questions will arrive that he may not be able to answer.

The Red Devils entered the international break off the back of another disappointing result in the Premier League, drawing 1-1 with Fulham in a game which very nearly ended in defeat. Five league games into Carrick's official tenure, United have won just once.

There are also questions for INEOS to answer regarding recruitment, but they will hope to answer those in the January transfer window. Whether it's Carrick who is still in the dugout by then remains to be seen, however.

If it is still the former midfield star, then he may get the chance to welcome the likes of Brian Brobbey, who has found himself on Man Utd's radar after a blistering performance against Manchester City before the international break which included a hat-trick.

That would very much add some extra firepower, but the real problem could be solved by turning to Portugal and right-back Alberto Costa. The 6'1 star is also on United's radar and would undoubtedly replace Diogo Dalot, who has once again struggled to make a positive impact at Old Trafford.

Man Utd plotting Alberto Costa move

As reported by Caught Offside, Man United are now plotting a move to sign Costa from Porto in the January transfer window. Any interest in the 22-year-old is still at the scouting stage, but the Red Devils already have competition in pursuit of his signature.

Alongside United, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are also interested in Costa. The latter, however, may well have their full focus on appealing their reported guilty verdict regarding the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League.

That would leave Man United, Arsenal and PSG. Negotiations shouldn't be too complex, either. Costa reportedly has a release clause worth €65m (£56m) in his current Porto contract and that will allow interested parties to bypass club negotiations. That's where the fact that he shares an agent with Bruno Fernandes could come in handy for United.

Dubbed "fantastic" by former coach Álvaro Pacheco, Costa's attacking expertise is clear for all to see. The Porto star is a better crosser of the ball than Dalot and creates more chances. If Man Utd are to unlock their best form under Carrick again, then the £56m man would be a good place to start in January.