Premier League update: Carrick cautions against instant solutions as Emery holds ‘tough’ Harwood-Bellis talks | Football

1. Carrick says United cannot be transformed overnight

Michael Carrick acknowledged that a single transfer window would not solve all of Manchester United’s problems, although he remained broadly satisfied with the club’s recruitment. United invested £155m in central midfielders but did not add a left-back, meaning Luke Shaw remains their only senior option in that role.

United travel to Everton on Sunday in pursuit of their first away point after losing at Hull. The club made no additions during the final week of the window despite exploring several left-back options. Everton also approached United about a deadline-day loan for Joshua Zirkzee, but the request came too late for a replacement striker to be found.

Carrick said no squad is ever completely perfect and teams must continually adapt. He explained that United are gradually building toward their ambition of returning to the top, but stressed that progress involves improving the entire group rather than expecting one signing or one window to resolve everything immediately.

Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba were recruited to strengthen midfield, while Karl Darlow arrived on a free transfer as the reserve goalkeeper. With United beginning their Champions League campaign on Thursday, concerns remain about the squad’s overall depth.

Carrick said the objective was to finish the window with a stronger team and believes the club achieved valuable work within its financial limits. He expressed confidence in the quality of the new arrivals, the atmosphere within the squad and the versatility of players capable of filling several positions.

2. Emery excludes new arrival Harwood-Bellis from European squad

Unai Emery admitted he faced an uncomfortable conversation with Taylor Harwood-Bellis after leaving the defender out of Aston Villa’s Champions League squad. The decision came only two days after the 24-year-old completed a £25m transfer from Southampton. Harwood-Bellis and 17-year-old Brian Madjo were both omitted from Villa’s 23-player list.

Emery informed Harwood-Bellis on Thursday that he would not be eligible for the European campaign at this stage. Madjo, meanwhile, is expected to remain unavailable until October because of a foot injury suffered after he scored in last month’s Super Cup.

Harwood-Bellis was the last of Villa’s 10 summer recruits, joining on deadline day as a replacement for Ezri Konsa following his £51m move to Arsenal. The exclusions are not believed to be financially motivated, although Villa continue working to comply with Uefa’s squad-cost regulations. Emery hopes the defender can be registered later in the season if Villa reach the knockout phase. Until then, Lamare Bogarde and Boubacar Kamara can provide cover at centre-back.

Emery described the decision as painful for both himself and Harwood-Bellis but said the defender understood his explanation. He added that Madjo and Modou Kéba Cissé were left out under different circumstances because they are injured, with Madjo expected to compete for a squad place after recovering.

Emery made a similar choice in February 2025 when he omitted Donyell Malen shortly after the Dutch forward arrived from Borussia Dortmund. Defender Andrés García, signed from Levante and now on loan at Getafe, was also excluded during that registration period.

The Villa manager explained that Harwood-Bellis arrived after the club’s other signings and that Bogarde and Kamara give the team alternative defensive options. He nevertheless views the defender as an important long-term player who should receive opportunities in Europe after January and in future seasons. Emery also believes Madjo’s age means he will have many more chances to represent Villa domestically and in European competition.

3. Maresca says City squad welcomed proven winner Fernández

Enzo Maresca revealed that several Manchester City players repeatedly asked whether Enzo Fernández would join the club before his deadline-day transfer was completed. The Argentina midfielder moved from Chelsea late on Tuesday for a British record-equalling fee of £125m.

The transfer concluded a lengthy pursuit after City had been associated with the World Cup winner throughout much of the summer. According to Maresca, Fernández has already received an enthusiastic welcome from his new teammates.

Maresca described Fernández as a player with a winning mentality whose arrival excited the rest of the squad. He said several City players had asked for updates during the closing days of the window because they were eager to have the midfielder in the team.

Fernández could make his debut against Coventry at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, although he will not immediately receive the captain’s armband. Maresca had previously expressed a desire to recruit additional leaders and knows Fernández’s leadership qualities from their time together at Chelsea.

Maresca confirmed that Rúben Dias, Erling Haaland, Marc Guéhi and Gigi Donnarumma are City’s four captains. Even so, he believes Fernández is prepared to take responsibility and can contribute his experience of winning both the World Cup and the Club World Cup.

4. De Zerbi stands by handling of Richarlison situation

Roberto De Zerbi insisted that Richarlison made his own choices after the forward was excluded from Tottenham’s Premier League squad. The omission followed the manager’s claim that the Brazilian had repeatedly expressed a desire to leave the club.

Richarlison responded on Instagram by stating that he would no longer allow other people to determine his future. A possible return to Everton failed to happen, although some transfer markets remain active and Trabzonspor are reportedly interested in signing him.

De Zerbi rejected the suggestion that he was responsible for the outcome. He said Richarlison had approached him at the beginning of pre-season and clearly communicated his wish to move elsewhere.

The manager explained that Tottenham subsequently recruited another striker because he only wants players who are committed to remaining at the club and who take pride in representing the team.

De Zerbi added that any wider issues surrounding the situation fall under the club’s authority rather than his own responsibilities.

Richarlison is reportedly training away from De Zerbi’s senior squad, although he continues to work at the club’s training facility and uses pitches designated for the first team.