Premature to talk of a cup Treble, says Carrick

MICHAEL CARRRICK does not want Manchester United’s players to use their heavy fixture list as an excuse in their bid to win a cup Treble.

United are on course to play an astonishing 66 matches if they reach the FA Cup and Europa League finals in addition to winning the EFL Cup at Wembley.

So far Jose Mourinho’s side have coped well, although tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at Chelsea looks particularly daunting after a long trip to Russia in the last-16 of the Europa League, which yielded a 1-1 draw is Rostov.

The second leg — game No 46 — is on Thursday.

‘The number of games is not a problem. I want us playing 60 or 70, not me as an individual but as a club. You have got to be in them to win them,’ said Carrick.

‘The more the merrier. It is part of the challenge. A Europa League game then you come back and play a massive FA Cup game.

‘We have had a free week last week, which is unusual and enjoyed it, energised for the next game.’

United’s Treble in 1999 is etched in the club’s history, but they have never won three cups in the same season.

However, Carrick thinks the hype around that potential achievement should be restricted to outsiders rather be discussed at United.

‘You have to shoot that [talking about a Treble] down. It is dangerous to get ahead of yourself,’ added Carrick.

‘There has been no talk about that in the dressing room. It is step by step. We enjoyed Sunday. We have moved on, it is all about this week with the Chelsea game and then Rostov. Literally no further than that.’

Michael Carrick’s testimonial is at Old l Trafford on Sunday June 4 between Manchester United’s 2008 Champions League-winning side and an All-Star XI selected by Michael. All proceeds will go to michaelcarrickfoundation.co.uk. For tickets call 0161-868 8004 or go to manutd.com/carricktestimonial.