Michael Carrick says Manchester United finishing fourth is 'not worth celebrating'

The club should not be settling for just Champions League qualification, according to the midfielder

Michael Carrick (GETTY IMAGES)

Michael Carrick has delivered a stark message regarding Manchester United's season, saying that a fourth-place finish is "not that great".

United's final placing in the Premier League sees them return to the Champions League, although they will have to come through a two-legged qualification match to enter the proper competition.

Having finished seventh the season before, United were pleased to return to Europe's elite competition. However, Carrick says it was nothing more than the minimum requirement for a team of Manchester United's stature.

"It’s an achievement but, listen, it’s not that great," said the midfielder in the club's season review DVD.

"We can be satisfied with getting in the top four but it’s not worth celebrating. Hopefully we can do a bit of celebrating next season.

"Finishing seventh [in 2013-14] was a real blip and it was a one-off. This club belongs in the Champions League and we can’t get too carried away with making it because we should be there anyway."

Carrick is already looking ahead to next season when the Manchester United squad will likely have been heavily improved using the summer transfer window. Memphis Depay has already signed from PSV Eindhoven and more recruits are expected.

"Next season we want to look up and not be settling for fourth," said Carrick.

"We believe we’ll come back after the summer strong and we’ll look to attack the season, and try to win whatever competition we’re in.

"It’s not going to change; it’s what we’ve done for years now and we’ll still go into next season looking to be successful."