Michael Carrickcommented on securing Champions Leaguequalification for Manchester United.
The Red Devils earned a 3-2 victory over Liverpool in the North-West derby that put them six points clear of Aston Villaand the fallen champions with only three fixtures to go in the Premier League.
‘It’s a step. We want more’
They will be back in Europe’s premier competition for the first time since 2023, and this feat caps off a brilliant interim spell for Carrick. His side have now picked up the most points of any outfit in the Premier Leaguesince his appointment in January, raising the levels after the exit of Ruben Amorim.
"In some ways [I'm proud of qualifying for Champions Leaguefootball]. And, in some ways, I think the work that's been done and the players, the way they've performed, and the teams that we've played against and got good results against, I think it's something that we can take a lot from, for sure.
“I think was well in the distance, a little bit, if we're honest, at one point. So there has been a lot of good work to put us in a position with three games to go and get that sealed. But it's not something we've spoke about as a group really. I think it's not something we over-celebrate.
“I think it's a step. We want more. We want to be finishing higher up the league but, certainly there is huge credit deserved that goes to the players and the staff, for putting us in this position, at this stage.
"Good players help. Good coaches, good staff. I think the connection that we've all had together has been pretty special and we've had to do it in different ways. We've won games in different ways, with different challenges, and today was a different one again.
“You just keep trying to do the right things and understanding of what it means to be here, and the players for taking everything on board so, so well. To do it with games to spare, like we have, that's one thing but we want to keep kicking on and finish the season strongly.
"We've scored a lot of goals, you know. We've scored, I think, in pretty much every game.
“I think a big focus of ours has been, if anything, on the out-of-possession work and trying to be harder to play against over a period of time. We knew they played a lot of midfielders today and try to take the ball and trying to control it like that, it gave us a big challenge and then, obviously, we try to put our strengths into the game, you know. I thought we started the game brilliantly.”
‘We can't underestimate what the boys have done’
Matheus Cunhaand Benjamin Seskoscored in the first quarter of an hour at Old Trafford, mimicking the fast start in the 2-1 victory over Brentford earlier in the week. Though Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpograbbed goals off the back of big mistakes in the second half, the hosts remained resilient (a key development under Carrick) and Kobbie Mainoowrapped up three points.
Carrick is still not thinking about his future in the job beyond this month, but he has done as much as he possibly can to show that he deserves the chance to lead the team into the following season.
“I thought we started the game against Brentford really good and I'm just as pleased with the way we finished the game, to be honest. I think, after two setbacks quickly, it could have knocked us but the character and belief the boys showed and the actual quality of our play, after that, was really good.”
"Mistakes happen. They're two fantastic players [Amad Diallo and Senne Lammens], who have given us a lot to put us in this position. It's part of football. Fortunately for everyone, we managed to come out on top today.
“You go back to there was kind of an underlying feeling of belief and it's tested in those moments. We can all talk about it but I think it's that connection with the players, their willingness to work hard for each other, sacrifice for each other and all benefit from it. If someone makes a mistake, we help out
“It's part of football. Ultimately, it's quality football. The tactics is one side of it but it's actually the mentality, and the attitude towards it, that gets you through difficult and challenging times. For that period, it was, of course, challenging, but I thought we finished so strongly.”
"It's really encouraging. I think in our little league, if you like, for the 14 games, we must be top, if not near the top [we are top]. But that, in itself, shows there are a lot of things that the boys have done really, really well. Of course, we want to keep improving the little bits.
“I think we can't underestimate what the boys have done in that period of time and in different ways, which has pleased me the most and gives us that flexibility moving forward."
"It's not about what I like or not like. In some ways, but it's not in my control. So everything has gone so well and I think we know the situation of where we are and I'm happy where we are at the moment.
“We still want to get better and let's see what happens next. At this moment in time, it's not something really I'm thinking about."
