Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has reportedly confirmed that the club made an attempt to sign Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise before the summer transfer window closed, revealing that the Red Devils explored a late move for one of Europe’s most exciting attacking players.
The revelation is expected to generate significant excitement among Manchester United supporters, particularly because Olise has been repeatedly linked with the club over the years. Although the proposed move did not ultimately materialise before the deadline, Carrick’s alleged admission suggests that United were seriously interested in bringing the France international to Old Trafford and considered making a major attacking investment before the transfer window closed.
Olise has developed into one of the most highly regarded attacking players in European football since leaving Crystal Palace for Bayern Munich. His technical ability, creativity, intelligence in possession and ability to produce decisive moments in the final third have made him an attractive target for several major clubs. United’s interest therefore comes as little surprise, particularly as Carrick continues to shape a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
According to the reported claims surrounding Carrick’s comments, Manchester United explored the possibility of reaching an agreement with Bayern late in the window. However, the complexity of the deal, the player’s importance to Bayern and the financial demands involved made it extremely difficult for United to complete the transfer before the deadline.
Carrick reveals United’s late interest
The biggest development surrounding the story is Carrick’s reported confirmation that Olise was discussed internally at Manchester United before the window closed.
Rather than simply being a name appearing on a transfer shortlist, the revelation would indicate that United’s recruitment team considered the possibility of making a concrete approach for the winger. The club reportedly wanted to assess whether a deal could be reached quickly enough to bring Olise to Manchester.
Carrick is understood to have been impressed by the qualities Olise could bring to his attacking system. The winger’s ability to operate from the right side, move into central areas and create opportunities for teammates would give United another dangerous attacking option.
For Carrick, the attraction is obvious.
Olise is not simply a player who relies on pace or individual moments. He possesses the technical quality to receive the ball under pressure, combine with midfielders and forwards and create chances from difficult situations. His left-footed delivery also makes him particularly dangerous when cutting inside from the right wing.
That profile could have made him an extremely valuable addition to United’s squad.
United’s long-standing admiration for Olise
Manchester United’s reported interest in Olise is not entirely new.
The club was strongly linked with the winger during his time at Crystal Palace, with reports in 2024 claiming that United were among the leading contenders for his signature. ESPN reported at the time that United had identified Olise as an important target as part of their planned squad rebuild.
That previous interest makes the latest development particularly interesting.
United have apparently continued to monitor Olise’s development even after his move away from the Premier League. His performances at Bayern Munich have only strengthened his reputation and increased his value.
The winger’s progress means that any attempt to sign him now would be considerably more complicated than when he was playing for Palace.
Bayern have little reason to sell a player who has established himself as an important part of their attacking plans. Consequently, Manchester United would have needed to present a huge financial package and convince both the German giants and the player that a move to England represented the right next step.
Why the deal failed to happen
Despite United’s reported interest, Olise remained a Bayern Munich player when the transfer window closed.
The failure to complete the move could have been caused by several factors.
First, Bayern would have had little incentive to allow one of their most talented attacking players to leave at short notice. A late transfer would also have left the German club with very limited time to find an adequate replacement.
Secondly, the financial demands associated with signing Olise would have been enormous.
The 24-year-old’s market value has increased significantly since leaving Crystal Palace, while his performances for Bayern and France have further enhanced his status. Reports have previously suggested that major European clubs were monitoring him, with potential transfer fees reaching extraordinary levels.
For United, committing such a large amount of money to one player on deadline day would have represented a major financial decision.
There was also the question of Bayern’s willingness to negotiate.
Even if United were prepared to meet a substantial asking price, Bayern would still have needed to agree to the sale. A late approach can only succeed when all parties are willing to move quickly.
What Olise would have brought to Manchester United
Had United managed to complete the signing, Olise could have transformed the club’s attacking options.
The French international is capable of playing as a right winger but has the intelligence and technical ability to drift into central positions. He can create chances, deliver dangerous crosses, combine around the penalty area and produce goals himself.
His creativity would also have provided another outlet for Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes has frequently been responsible for creating opportunities from midfield, but having a player such as Olise ahead of him could reduce some of that creative burden.
Instead of relying heavily on one player to unlock defensive teams, United could have possessed multiple players capable of producing something unexpected.
That would have been particularly useful in matches against opponents who sit deep.
Olise and the Manchester United attack
One of the major questions surrounding United’s squad has been how to create a more consistent attacking threat.
The club has invested heavily in attacking talent, but consistency remains crucial.
Olise would have offered something different.
He is comfortable receiving the ball between the lines and can create danger without needing large amounts of space. His ability to beat opponents with technical skill rather than simply relying on speed makes him particularly difficult to defend.
His delivery from wide positions would also provide an additional weapon for United’s forwards.
Imagine Fernandes finding Olise in space on the right side of the penalty area.
Olise could cut inside onto his stronger left foot, combine with an overlapping full-back or deliver a cross toward the striker. Those different possibilities would force defenders to make difficult decisions.
That tactical flexibility is one reason why Carrick could reportedly have been interested in bringing him to Old Trafford.
Bayern’s position was always likely to be difficult
From Bayern’s perspective, selling Olise would have made little sense unless the financial offer was impossible to refuse.
The German giants have historically operated at the highest level of European football and expect their best players to compete for major trophies.
Olise fits that ambition.
He has the technical quality required to play Champions League football, while his age means Bayern can potentially build around him for many years.
That makes the idea of Bayern agreeing to a late sale particularly difficult.
Manchester United may therefore have recognised that the timing of their approach worked against them.
Even if the club was willing to make an enormous offer, Bayern had little time to reinvest the money and replace the player.
Carrick’s transfer vision
The reported Olise approach also provides an insight into Carrick’s transfer thinking.
The Manchester United manager appears to be looking for players who can improve the technical quality and attacking intelligence of his squad.
Olise would fit that philosophy perfectly.
Rather than signing a player simply because of reputation, United would be adding someone capable of directly influencing games through creativity and decision-making.
Carrick’s challenge will be to create an attacking structure in which players can consistently demonstrate those qualities.
If United eventually return for Olise, the club could therefore be pursuing a player who fits the manager’s long-term vision rather than simply chasing another big-name signing.
Could Manchester United return for Olise?
The possibility of another attempt cannot be completely dismissed.
If the reported interest was genuine, United’s failed approach before the deadline could simply represent the beginning rather than the end of their pursuit.
The club could continue monitoring Olise’s situation throughout the season.
Much would depend on Bayern’s position, the player’s ambitions and United’s performance.
If United qualify for the Champions League and demonstrate that they are once again capable of competing for major trophies, their chances of attracting elite players could improve considerably.
Olise’s own ambitions will also be important.
At this stage of his career, he is likely to want to compete for the biggest trophies in European football. Bayern provide that opportunity, meaning United would have to offer a compelling sporting project if they eventually return with another proposal.
A transfer that could have changed United’s attack
For Manchester United supporters, the most intriguing part of the story is not simply that the club tried to sign Olise.
It is what his arrival could have meant.
United would have added one of Europe’s most technically gifted young attackers to an already ambitious squad. His creativity could have complemented Fernandes, while his ability to play in several attacking positions would have given Carrick additional tactical options.
It could also have sent a major message to the rest of Europe.
Signing Olise from Bayern would have demonstrated that Manchester United were once again prepared to compete with Europe’s biggest clubs for elite talent.
For now, however, that opportunity has passed.
The transfer window has closed, and Olise remains at Bayern Munich.
But Carrick’s reported revelation could ensure that the story does not disappear completely.
If United genuinely made an attempt to sign the winger, supporters may have to wait until another transfer window before discovering whether the club is prepared to return to the negotiating table.
For now, the headline remains simple: Manchester United wanted Michael Olise, they explored the possibility of signing him before the deadline, but they were unable to get the deal over the line.
And if Carrick and United continue to view the French international as a priority target, this may not be the last time his name dominates the Manchester United transfer agenda.