Middlesbrough had a largely productive summer transfer window but Kieran Scott and Michael Carrick made one mistake.
After missing out on a Championship play-off place by just four points in 2023/24, Middlesbrough were quick to strengthen their ranks in the most recent transfer window.
Working in tandem with Head of Football Kieran Scott, Michael Carrick brought nine new faces through the door at the Riverside Stadium.
Eight of those additions have since become regular features for the first team, while Harley Hunt has largely lined out for Boro’s academy after his transfer from Swindon Town.
For the most part, the Teessiders summer transfer business was positive, with a number of players already shining in their limited outings in the North East.
Though he was a very late addition, George Edmundson could be Middlesbrough’s signing of the summer after he stepped up amid an injury crisis at centre-back.
Elsewhere, after completing a £3.18m move from MLS outfit Columbus Crew, Aidan Morris was labelled an ‘incredible find’ for Middlesbrough.
Kieran Scott and Michael Carrick biggest Middlesbrough transfer mistake
Outside of that duo, the likes of Ben Doak, Tommy Conway and Delano Burgzorg have impressed at times during 2024/25 so far.
However, the one mistake Scott and Carrick made over the summer was not signing more left-back cover.
Lukas Engel was shambolic for Middlesbrough versus Stoke City, costing his side a staggering four goals despite only being on the pitch for 45 minutes.
That was not the only time the left-back’s decision-making led to Boro conceding though, with Portsmouth taking full advantage of Engel’s struggles in a 2-2 draw in August.
With Alex Bangura facing another length spell on the sidelines, the Teessiders did eventually dip into the transfer market to strengthen that area with the addition of Neto Borges.
However, while there was much excitement around the Brazilian’s addition, Borges is already at risk of becoming a Middlesbrough flop.
The former Ligue 1 ace was dominated in the defeat to Sunderland was was similarly poor in the 2-1 loss to Watford prior to the October international break, with it now clear another left-back should have been signed over the summer.
Michael Carrick could have solution to Middlesbrough left-back problem
With Engel clearly not good enough to start for a promotion-chasing team and Borges far from his best so far this term, it is evident another left-back should be signed in January to rectify the mistake made by Carrick and Scott over the summer.
As a replacement for Engel or Borges cannot be brought in until January, however, Carrick may have to look internally for the time being.
One potential solution is 19-year-old defender George McCormick, who broke into the senior team over the summer.
Carrick praised McCormick after his Championship debut versus West Bromwich Albion and the youngster could now be handed more regular minutes at left-back going forward.
The natural centre-back lacks the attacking threat of Borges but would certainly help Middlesbrough stop leaking so many goals down the left of their backline.