How Man Utd would have lined up if INEOS had listened to Michael Carrick's four transfer recommendations

Michael Carrick identified Elliot Anderson, Lewis Hall and two other players as potential signings for Manchester United in the summer transfer window, it has emerged.

Following the club's worst start to a Premier League season in 40 years, Carrick was relieved of his duties on Thursday morning, less than six months after being handed the job on a permanent basis.

Carrick helped United secure Champions League football during a successful interim spell last season, but instead of being backed in the market, United were left short in a number of positions, including left-back.

READ MORE: How Man Utd will line up under Mauricio Pochettino with four new signings and talisman in attack

They did bring in three midfielders - Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos - although Michael Carrick himself recommended other midfielders, including Elliot Anderson.

Anderson was heavily linked with a move to United, but it appears the club were put off by his significant price tag, with Manchester City eventually stumping up £116 million for the England international.

Carrick also suggested three other players he felt the club needed, according to journalist Henry Winter, who claims Lewis Hall, Morgan Rogers and Mateus Fernandes were also on his wishlist.

"Sir Jim Ratcliffe will one day have to explain why Manchester United didn’t follow Michael Carrick’s recommendation of the four players he felt the club needed in the summer window – Elliot Anderson, Lewis Hall, Morgan Rogers and, fourth on the list, Mateus Fernandes," said Winter.

"Were debt repayments restricting their buying power? Was it simply because United felt the fees were too much for them?"

How United could have lined-up if Michael Carrick got his transfer wish in the summer. Image credit: lineup-builder

Another potential United line-up if Michael Carrick got his way. Image credit: lineup-builder

United adopted a far more cautious approach in the summer. Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox were keen to avoid repeating previous transfer mistakes, prioritising value for money rather than spending huge sums on individual players.

A failure to offload players didn't help, either, but other rivals - including Tottenham and Chelsea - were willing to pay those inflated transfer valuations. Ultimately, it has come back to bite them.

"There used to be a time when Manchester United would go for “best in class” players, even if that meant chunky fees. Not now. That has to change," said Winter.

"Mauricio Pochettino will certainly expect Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox to think bigger in the transfer market - more befitting of a club United's size. Carrick, understanding the challenge United faced in the summer, wanted United to buy properly. They didn't."

Manchester United on the verge of appointing Mauricio Pochettino

Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is closing in on becoming the new Manchester United head coach.

The Argentine has reached a verbal agreement with United, who now must trigger the $10 million (£7.4m) compensation clause contained within his contract with the United States men's national team.

Despite signing a new deal with the USMNT in August, Pochettino has been open about how much he misses life in England.

Speaking to L'Equipe earlier this year, he said: “I miss the football scene in England. I love the country, its culture, the football culture," he said.

"For anyone with a competitive spirit who wants to measure themselves against others and test their limits, it's the ideal place. Here, you have to give your best constantly.”