There is a table Manchester United top during Michael Carrick’s reign and it is the one that matters most. No one has taken more points since his January appointment. Over the last 13 years, however, United have been more accustomed to topping the spending charts. Now they may have a different kind of mid-table mediocrity, at least for those with an obsession with the transfer window.
When it closed, United were in the bottom half, according to Transfermarkt figures: there was an outlay of £148m, potentially rising to £155m, on midfielders, but no other purchase of a senior player. In contrast, Manchester City spent more than £400m, Chelsea and Tottenham over £300m, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Arsenal over £200m. Down in 11th place, United were outspent by promoted Ipswich and Hull.
