Michael Carrick, a former Manchester United midfielder and now the club's technical director, has acknowledged that the transfer window cannot offer an "instant fix" for the club's challenges, despite spending £155 million on central midfielders. United failed to sign a left-back, leaving Luke Shaw as the sole senior player in that position. Carrick said the club was "largely happy" with its transfer business, though it was outspent by newly promoted teams like Hull City, Ipswich Town, and Coventry City. United did not make any signings in the final week of the window, despite exploring options for a left-back. Everton had approached United about loaning striker Joshua Zirkzee on deadline day, but the club felt it was too late to find a replacement for the position. The club added Youssoufa Moukoko, Andrey Santos, and Carlos Baleba to strengthen the midfield, while also bringing in Karl Darlow on a free transfer as a backup goalkeeper. Carrick expressed satisfaction with the new signings, saying they added quality and flexibility to the squad. However, concerns remain about the team's depth, especially with the upcoming Champions League campaign. The club will soon begin its European campaign, but the lack of a clear plan for the left-back position has raised questions about the squad's balance. At Aston Villa, manager Unai Emery faced scrutiny after leaving out Taylor Harwood-Bellis from the Champions League squad just two days after the defender joined from Southampton in a £25 million deal. Harwood-Bellis and 17-year-old Brian Madjo were both surprisingly left out of Villa's 23-man squad. Emery explained that Harwood-Bellis would not be eligible to play in European competition immediately, though he hopes the defender could feature later in the season, potentially in February if Villa reaches the knockout stages. Madjo is expected to be sidelined until October due to a foot injury. Emery said there were no financial reasons for the omissions, though Villa is still working to meet UEFA's squad-cost regulations. He noted that other players, like Lamare Bogarde and Boubacar Kamara, could step in for the center-back role. At Manchester City, manager Enzo Maresca revealed that players had repeatedly asked him whether Enzo Fernández would join before the Argentinian completed his deadline-day move from Chelsea for a British record-equalling £125 million. Fernández quickly gained popularity in the dressing room, and Maresca praised his "winner's mentality." However, Fernández will not be named captain immediately, as Maresca wants to sign "one or two more captains" and had Fernández as captain at Chelsea. At Tottenham, manager Roberto De Zerbi stated that Richarlison "decided everything alone" after the forward was left out of the Premier League squad. Richarlison had previously said on Instagram that he would not allow others to decide his future, and a potential return to Everton did not happen. De Zerbi defended his decision, saying it was not his choice but the club's responsibility. Richarlison is not training with De Zerbi’s first-team group but is working on first-team pitches at the training ground.