Carrick urges Manchester United to ‘push on’ after securing Champions League return

Michael Carrick has urged Manchester United to use qualification for the Champions League as a springboard to “push on”.

United’s 3-2 win over Liverpool thanks to Kobbie Mainoo’s second-half winner confirmed the club’s return to Europe’s elite competition.

But Carrick says this must only be the start regardless of who is in charge next season.

“I think when we came in, Champions League was a little bit in the distance,” the United boss said. 

“We wanted to try and get back into Europe so to be where we are after the run the players have put together and with three games to spare is a good achievement.

“But I see it as just being a step. We’re not over celebrating it. Whatever is going to happen is going to happen, I can only do my best for the club and for the players especially and trying to help them as best we can, then see what happens after that.

“It’s a huge step for so many reasons, I’m not underplaying it. The signs of improvement and being where we are with three games to go. There’s a lot of satisfaction that comes with that but that can’t be everything, that’s kind of the point I’m making.

“We expect more of that consistently and that’s the message. Let’s try and push on and keep improving, not just sitting back.”