Carrick: ‘Reds are up for a title challenge’
MICHAEL CARRICK believes “things are on the up” at Manchester United, with the captain confident Jose Mourinho’s men are in a better place to challenge for the Premier League than a year ago.
West Ham are at Old Trafford today as United look to launch a sustained title bid for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out with the league crown in 2013.
Having not finished below third in the Premier League during the Scot’s reign, remarkably they have not finished higher than fourth since his retirement.
Sixth place was a poor return in Mourinho’s first season at the helm – even if the Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield glory tempered disappointment – and Carrick expects better in the league this term.
“We have improved the squad, we look stronger, we are a year further ahead with the manager and his staff, we are in a better place than we were last year, so things are on the up,” the five-time League champion with United, said.
“For large spells of last season, we felt we should have been higher in the league than we were and performances certainly warranted that for large periods.
“We need to improve as we ended up a distance away from the top. Hopefully this season we will be challenging.”
United finished 24 points behind Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic arrived over the summer to bolster the team.
“The league is special as it is such a tough division to win,” Carrick said.
“When you come out on top it is an unbelievable feeling to know you are the best team in the country, and you have gone through all sorts of things along the way to win that.
“Cup competitions are a slightly different feeling. Winning a trophy is winning a trophy and the feeling you get from it is incredible.
“We will certainly be fighting on all fronts to win as much as we can.”
United are only without long-term absentees Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo for today’s season opener against the Hammers, who have conducted some impressive transfer business.
MarkoArn auto vic, Pablo Zabaleta and Joe Hart have all signed for Slaven Bilic’s side, as has former United striker Javier Hernandez, who is in line to make his debut at Old Trafford.
“Yeah, I think they have improved,” former West Ham midfielder Carrick said.
“Obviously Chi cha (Hernandez) is there now and hopefully he doesn’t come back and do too well in the first game!”