Michael Carrick believes European qualification after his short spell as Manchester United manager will be proof that the Red Devils are moving in the right direction.
The former United and England midfielder was appointed this week on a contract until the end of the season but will face a baptism of fire at Old Trafford when local rivals Manchester City visit on Saturday in a bid to boost his Premier League title hopes.
Seventh-placed United are far from challenging for the title and are 17 points behind first place.
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For the second time since the 1989/90 season, the 20-time English champions failed to qualify for Europe this season and are far from guaranteed a return to continental competition next season.
«We want to be close to the top of the league, we want to be at the top of the league. That’s quite clear to say,» Carrick told a pre-match press conference on Friday.
“But we need to take some small steps in that direction and European football would of course be a step forward.
«I want to succeed. We have a big job to do. It’s an important job and it’s always about winning games, playing well and doing it in a certain way.»
Published on January 16, 2026
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