Manchester United

Michael Carrick: 'Only title will do for Manchester United'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 21 July 2017

Michael Carrick says that it is "the league or nothing" for Manchester United next season, having once again fallen well short during the 2016-17 campaign.

Manchester United captain Michael Carrick has admitted that next season can only be deemed a success if the club end their prolonged wait for the Premier League title.

The Red Devils have gone five seasons since last lifting the top-flight crown, finishing inside the top four on just one occasion since then.

Having saved last season courtesy of victory in the Europa League final, Carrick insists that it is now 'all or nothing' for his side as anything less than top spot is not acceptable for a club of United's stature.

"It's all about winning things," he told reporters. "In some ways, it's winning the league or nothing... I can't get my head around that to say top four is acceptable.

"I know we've had changes and adjusted as players have come in and out and you can't expect to win the league every year, but you've got to set out to do that.

"I was obviously fortunate enough to win the league straight away and, having that run we did in my first three years, gives you that taste of 'right, it's all or nothing now', so maybe I was spoiled in my early years."

Carrick, handed the captain's armband by Mourinho following the departure of Wayne Rooney, is under contract at Old Trafford until next summer.