Michael Carrick is adamant there will be no let-up from his Manchester United players even though Champions League qualification is now secured.
Carrick has done a remarkable job as interim boss following the departure of Ruben Amorim in January, masterminding a run of 10 wins in 14 games to help United surge through the pack and into third place.
They will return to Europe’s top table next season, although there is no guarantee Carrick will be there to see it with his contract due to expire in the summer and no word yet on what the club’s hierarchy intend to do.
Whatever happens, the former England midfielder insists there is still plenty to play for this season, starting on Saturday at Sunderland.
“Pride, responsibility, playing for this great club, great supporters, really good togetherness within the group,” he said. “It’s about improving and evolving all the time as well.
“As I’ve said, over the last week or so, in terms of the Champions League, it’s a step, a really good step, that’s not the end at all. We want to keep improving and we want to finish strong.
“There is a feeling of games to go and it does get right to the end of it. Maybe, it will change slightly, but in terms of us preparing for the game, wanting to do well and win the game [it doesn’t change].”
As a boyhood Newcastle fan, Carrick will want to get one over on Sunderland, and also gain an element of revenge for the stick he and his team-mates received when United failed to win the title at the Stadium of Light in 2012 with Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp strike handing it to Manchester City.
“I can remember that,” he said. “I’ve not forgot it. It was a one-off kind of feeling, it wasn’t until after the game we knew where the land was lying.
“It wasn’t until we walked towards the edge of the pitch we had to deal with what was thrown at us. It is in the past, but it sticks in the memory.”
