Manchester United may have Champions League football secured for next season, but Michael Carrick will be keen to take three points from the final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest.
Manchester United took one point from Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The scoreless draw was played at such a slow pace that the match could have been mistaken for a friendly, with many of the players playing as though they were in holiday mode or minding themselves for the World Cup.
The Red Devils are hoping to get back to winning ways when they host Nottingham Forest, but the game has some significance despite the main season objective being achieved.
Without further ado, here are multiple reasons why United must sign off their final game at Old Trafford this season in style, with Michael Carrick set for formal talks over his job.
Michael Carrick and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are set for ‘formal talks’ over the Man Utd job / What is your reaction?
Michael Carrick wants to avoid three-game winless run to end 2025/26 season
After overseeing an improved run of form since being appointed interim head coach in January, it would be a shame if United were to push themselves across the line.
United play Brighton away from home on the final day of the Premier League season. Fabian Hurzeler’s side is going to be pushing for European football, and it’s not been an easy ground for United to visit in recent years.
Meanwhile, United are preparing to face a Forest side sitting at the wrong end of the table, and it’s the final home game. A win would ensure that United don’t end the season on a winless run, regardless of what happens against Brighton.
Carrick could use the Brighton game to experiment and give youngsters like Shea Lacey and Chido Obi more minutes in United’s first team.
Man Utd fans deserve good send-off after turbulent campaign
It hasn’t been an easy season for United fans.
United were poor from the start, got knocked out of the cup competitions early on and had no European football.
While the results have improved tenfold since Ruben Amorim was sacked, the performances have led to more questions than answers.
Three points should be the minimum request on Sunday, but we also want a good performance before the players do a lap of honour. The fans deserve that for their unrivalled support.
Final outings at Old Trafford for Casemiro and possibly others
Casemiro returns to fitness in time to prepare for the match against Forest. The 34-year-old will make his final appearance as a United player at Old Trafford, as he’s expected to return to the line-up alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
This means United fans will bid farewell to Casemiro, who has been a top club servant since his arrival from Real Madrid in 2022.
Manuel Ugarte is another United player who could make his final appearance at Old Trafford in the red shirt.
Both Casemiro and Ugarte returned to training this week after missing the 0-0 draw against Sunderland.
It remains to be seen who else will be departing Old Trafford this summer.
What is your message to Casemiro ahead of his final home game at Old Trafford?
Do you think it will be a scoring farewell for Casemiro?
Third place within reach for Man Utd
United have been sitting in third place in the Premier League for weeks.
With two games left to play, United have not yet secured third spot, but a draw against Forest would do exactly that.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  ArsenalArsenal | 36 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 68 | 26 | 42 | 79 |
| 2 |  Manchester CityManchester City | 36 | 23 | 8 | 5 | 75 | 32 | 43 | 77 |
| 3 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 36 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 63 | 48 | 15 | 65 |
| 4 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 36 | 17 | 8 | 11 | 60 | 48 | 12 | 59 |
| 5 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 36 | 17 | 8 | 11 | 50 | 46 | 4 | 59 |
As things stand, United are two points ahead of Aston Villa with a game in hand, which will come against Forest after their 4-2 win over Liverpool on Friday night.
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