Manchester United have secured Champions League football, but Michael Carrick is demanding high standards from his players for the remaining three matches in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
After finishing 15th in the Premier League under Ruben Amorim last season, the objective was to get back into the Champions League.
The prospect of that was remote at best in January until Michael Carrick replaced Amorim until the end of the season.
Despite sealing a spot in the Champions League as United beat Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday, Carrick is awaiting clarity on his future, but he is still setting high demands for his team with three games left to play.
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Michael Carrick sends Man Utd players reminder after Champions League qualification
The last thing Carrick wants is for the United players to go into holiday mode now that the Champions League has been secured.
A bad run-in, even at this point, would be enough for critics like Roy Keane to start adding to their questionnaire for Carrick.
Speaking to reporters at Carrington on Thursday, Carrick was asked what he wants to see from his team for the remainder of the season.
The 44-year-old will remind them of the responsibilities that come with playing for a great club like United, with great fans and ambition for the future.
“Pride, responsibility, playing for this great club,” Carrick said.
“Great supporters. Really good togetherness within the group as well and it’s about improving and revolving all the time as well.
“So, as I said, over the last week, so in terms of the Champions League, it’s a step. It’s a really good step. That’s not the end. That’s not the end at all.
“So we want to keep improving. We want to finish strong, you know, and understanding there’s a little bit of a feeling of games to go, and it does get right to the end of it, of maybe it does change slightly, but it doesn’t, in terms of us preparing for the game and wanting to do well and whoever plays, play well, and try and win the game.”
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Michael Carrick aware Sunderland have something to play for
Despite sitting in 12th place after returning to the Premier League, Sunderland could finish in the European spots if results go their way.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  ArsenalArsenal | 35 | 23 | 7 | 5 | 67 | 26 | 41 | 76 |
| 2 |  Manchester CityManchester City | 34 | 21 | 8 | 5 | 69 | 32 | 37 | 71 |
| 3 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 35 | 18 | 10 | 7 | 63 | 48 | 15 | 64 |
| 4 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 35 | 17 | 7 | 11 | 59 | 47 | 12 | 58 |
| 5 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 35 | 17 | 7 | 11 | 48 | 44 | 4 | 58 |
| 6 |  BournemouthBournemouth | 35 | 12 | 16 | 7 | 55 | 52 | 3 | 52 |
| 7 |  BrentfordBrentford | 35 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 52 | 46 | 6 | 51 |
| 8 |  BrightonBrighton | 35 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 49 | 42 | 7 | 50 |
| 9 |  ChelseaChelsea | 35 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 54 | 48 | 6 | 48 |
| 10 |  EvertonEverton | 35 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 44 | 44 | 0 | 48 |
| 11 |  FulhamFulham | 35 | 14 | 6 | 15 | 44 | 49 | -5 | 48 |
| 12 |  SunderlandSunderland | 35 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 37 | 46 | -9 | 47 |
That will likely include a win over United on Saturday.
Carrick is aware of that.
He said: “They have got an awful lot to play for. It has been really tight, they have had a fantastic season. To be in the top half and being in touching distance of Europe is credit to them.”
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