Manchester United believe they can still compete for major honors, even though they cannot match the financial muscle of some of their rivals. This summer, the club spent £148 million on new players, a figure far below the £300 million-plus invested by Chelsea and Tottenham, and the record £458 million spent by Manchester City. In a recent match against Ipswich, Liverpool fielded three players—Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, and Florian Wirtz—each of whom cost more than £100 million. In contrast, United’s most expensive signing, Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, came from Brighton in a deal that could reach £70 million, which is £19 million less than the club's previous record of £89 million for Paul Pogba a decade ago. Head coach Michael Carrick insists that financial power alone isn't the key to building a successful team. He is confident that United can remain competitive by assembling the right balance of players, combining experience with younger talent. "I certainly feel we can," Carrick said. "The challenge is getting the right dynamics, the right balance and the right group together; getting the best players in the group to enhance the rest." However, some critics have pointed out areas where United's transfer strategy has fallen short, such as the lack of a left-back to challenge Luke Shaw and insufficient support for forward Benjamin Sesko. Carrick denied that financial restrictions had limited the club’s summer spending. "The actual amount of money I understand can be a big thing, but it doesn’t always have to be the answer," he said. Questions about United’s financial situation have been raised, especially after the Glazer family’s takeover in 2005. Finance blogger Swiss Ramble estimated in September 2025 that United had paid £852 million in interest alone. The club's latest financial figures show total borrowings of £1.29 billion, including outstanding transfer fees. Recent refinancing added £91.92 million to their debt, and the club has yet to detail how it will fund a proposed new stadium, expected to cost over £2 billion. Full-year accounts, due soon, will provide more clarity on the club’s financial health after a season without European competition. Despite these financial challenges, chief executive Omar Berrada insists the club can remain competitive while managing its debt and pursuing stadium ambitions. "We have shown that with debt, we can not only be profitable, but more importantly, win trophies," Berrada said. He emphasized the importance of sustainable financial management while continuing to compete for major honors. Carrick, meanwhile, is optimistic about the current squad, which includes new signings like Baleba, Andrey Santos, and Youri Tielemans, as well as the rise of 19-year-old forward Shea Lacey. He believes the team is in a better position than when they finished third last season, and he is determined to build on that success. Whether this optimism is justified will become clearer in the months ahead, but Carrick believes United have the potential to challenge for honors despite spending significantly less than their rivals.