Manchester United focused on midfield recruitment in the summer transfer window, bringing in three top-level players to bolster the engine room.

Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba have been brought in to challenge the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount for positions in Michael Carrick's side.

Despite these signings and the addition of Karl Darlow as a backup goalkeeper, United fans were left slightly unhappy with the overall transfer business.

Luke Shaw remains the club's only natural senior option at left-back. Centre-back and centre-forward would also have been positions to bring in fresh blood.

However, the lack of sales appeared to dictate United's summer window, and Joshua Zirkzee's situation is part of that conversation.

Zirkzee, 25, was linked with a move away from Old Trafford for most of the summer as he searched for more regular game time than he had received at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman is behind the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in the pecking order upfront in Carrick's side.

But no moves progressed for the player. In the final moments of deadline day, Everton decided to make an offer on loan for Zirkzee, but United refused to accept as they did not have the time to sign a replacement.

Despite missing out on a move, Zirkzee has still received backing from Carrick this week, with the head coach eager to explain his importance to the squad.

"For sure Josh is important, for the team, for the squad the depth," the United boss said when asked about the forward.

"Josh is happy here and I have a really good relationship with Josh. He wants to play more than he has but that is good healthy competition.

"We have a lot of games coming up, we have a shorter period between games, Josh can do some really top things, I have seen it myself."

Zirkzee has not been able to prove himself as a success at United, and it feels unlikely that much will change for the Dutchman this season.

But some reports have claimed that he performs excellently in training and just hasn't been able to replicate it on match day. We have seen snippets of his talent with the ball at his feet, but not enough for him to start regularly.

Still, this season sees United back in European competition, and the extra games could give Zirkzee extra chances to prove himself.

It will be difficult for him, as the likes of Sesko and Cunha are clearly preferred currently, but you can never rule anything out in football.

Manchester United's first Champions League game is next week – Thursday, 10 September – against Sabah FK at Old Trafford. 

Zirkzee could be in contention for a starting spot, although Sesko could still be waiting for his first start of the season next week.