Two Man United players blocking Michael Carrick from making final Deadline Day signing

Two Manchester United players are blocking Michael Carrick from completing some last-minute business on deadline day, including forward Joshua Zirkzee.

Transfer deadline day is typically exciting for most supporters as clubs aim to make some eye-catching late moves, but for Man United, there's an acceptance that this summer has been underwhelming.

Although around £150million has been spent on midfielders Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba, Carrick has been left incredibly short at left-back.

Luke Shaw is United's only natural senior option, and his frailties have been exposed in the opening weeks of the campaign, with many urging INEOS to splash the cash on someone to provide competition, or arguably take his place.

Carrick's top target was Newcastle United's Lewis Hall, but the Magpies have insisted that the 21-year-old isn't for sale after already losing several of their key players. According to the Daily Mail, it would take a bid of more than £75 million for the Toon to 'even consider' letting Hall leave.

Alejandro Balde was another player the Red Devils explored signing last month, and even reached out to his representatives to see if a deal would be possible. The Spaniard rejected a move to Old Trafford, though, as he's keen to stay and fight for his place at Barcelona.

Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly, Brighton's Ferdi Kaglioglu, Racing Santander's Jorge Salinas and Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen have also been linked with a transfer to United, but none of them have come close to joining.

A problem INEOS have when it comes to splashing more cash is raising enough funds from player sales, with Chelsea showing them how it's done this summer.

Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee are blocking more Man United incomings

Man United have received around £47million in total from letting Rasmus Hojlund, Radek Vitek and Toby Collyer depart. Chelsea, on the other hand, have made £250million in sales, and this has enabled their turbo spending.

Carrick hasn't had the same luxury as Xabi Alonso, but things could have been different if they were able to offload Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford permanently.

Zirkzee was close to leaving United all summer, and only last week, Serie A side Fiorentina held discussions with the club over an initial loan plus a €30million buy option for the striker.

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That move has since broken down after the 25-year-old turned down a switch to La Viola, with BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone stating that Zirkzee is 'more likely to stay' at Old Trafford in the final hours of deadline day.

A proposed sale of Zirkzee - who was an unused substitute in their opening two Premier League games - could have raised some much-needed funds to invest elsewhere.

Rashford, meanwhile, also looks increasingly likely to stay at Man United beyond deadline day after struggling to get their highest-earner off their books.

The 28-year-old looked set to join Barcelona after a successful loan, but they turned down the chance to sign him for £26million. Other clubs, including two from the Premier League, have also shown an interest, though his £350,000-per-week wage is proving difficult to offload.

In perhaps a show of faith in the England international, Carrick gave Rashford the No.9 shirt and brought him off the bench against Hull City before starting him in the 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town on Sunday.

The United academy graduate looks set to play a key role as they return to the Champions League, but fans would probably have preferred him to depart if it meant signing a left-back.