Manchester United rarely spend big in the January transfer window, though last January proved to be an expensive month for the Red Devils. 

Rúben Amorim was dismissed as head coach after a 1-1 draw with Leeds United, whom Michael Carrick's side face on Sunday afternoon. However, Amorim was sacked for his comments towards Jason Wilcox, rather than for the performance at Elland Road. 

The January prior, Manchester United signed Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, who have both had spells as regular starters since moving to Old Trafford.

In truth, since the Glazer family purchased United, they have been rare participants in the January transfer window, but a poor start to the season could see that change in 2027. 

Bruno Fernandes is the most notable January signing in recent years. He has become the most important player in the side, even if his form has dipped at the start of this season. 

Carrick will likely be hoping for some more January additions this term, having not been given a new left-back or centre-forward in the summer. Luke Shaw and Benjamin Šeško are both currently dealing with injury problems. 

When asked about the January window by Sky Sports, Carrick said: "I think when the next transfer window comes, you want to plan and you want to make the best of it.

"Without doubt, there's opportunity because the transfer window is open."

The Manchester United head coach went on to say they would "definitely" look at becoming a stronger squad by the end of the winter window. 

"So we'll definitely be looking at that and trying to come out stronger in whatever way that looks like," he said. 

Nine months ago, Rúben Amorim lost his job after facing Leeds United at Elland Road, and before Lisandro Martínez criticised Jason Wilcox in his post-match interview against Atletico Madrid, there was a feeling the same could happen to Carrick. 

The performances this season have been poor, though some fans seem unwilling to put any blame on the head coach, given the summer transfer window. 

When asked about his future, Carrick said: "My main focus is helping the team and driving this club forward.

"Emotion's quite good at times; fire and passion's good at times. You just got to use it and guide it in the right way.

"And, you know, it feels that there's been a lot of negativity in some ways, and you can focus on that, or you can focus on actually with 4 points or 4th in the league, with one game in the Champions League, we've lost one."

It would be easy for the Manchester United head coach to cave under the pressure he is currently facing, but Carrick has insisted he is not thinking about himself. 

"I don't think about myself," he said. "In my own situation, about how much time or what, what, what it looks like for me.

"There's no individual that's more important than this football club."

It feels like not every Manchester United manager in recent years has known that statement to be true, but it is. Of course it is. 

Manchester United is one of, if not the biggest clubs in the world. Michael Carrick knows that from his time as a player, but he has also been a coach under José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Perhaps his experience in both roles has helped him to understand that the pressure is nothing personal, but merely part of the job. 

It is too early to know if he is the right man to take United back to the top, but he certainly has the right attitude.