Michael Carrick has said Manchester United are not in a position to make a £100m signing, underlining the club’s financial constraints despite Champions League qualification and its ambition to challenge for major honours. He said United must improve the squad through other means, while Marcus Rashford has returned to training amid mutual expectations that he could leave before the transfer deadline.

United have spent £85m this window on Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, but have never paid £100m for one player, unlike the other traditional top-six clubs. Rashford, 28, has returned after loan spells at Barcelona and Aston Villa; although relations have improved and Carrick praised his training, both player and club favour a departure, with his remaining contract worth £35m over two years.