When Michael Carrick was appointed as Manchester United’s manager until the end of the season, the remit was clear: get United moving in the right direction and qualify for the Champions League. The target was set, with United immediately seeing an upturn in form, but should they now be aiming higher?

Climbing Into Third

A top-four finish is what Manchester United were looking for when the club’s former midfielder Michael Carrick stepped into the Old Trafford dugout. It looked achievable, especially after successive wins against Manchester City and then Arsenal, but since then, United’s impressive form has continued, putting them in the driving seat for an even better finish.

United hosted Crystal Palace at Old Trafford but found themselves behind after an early goal from a set-piece by Maxence Lacroix. After the break, United upped the ante, going on to win 2-1. Lacroix was shown a straight red for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Bruno Fernandes scored the resulting penalty before providing the cross for Benjamin Sesko to head home the winner.

This victory was crucial as it allowed United to capitalise on Aston Villa losing away at Wolves, leapfrogging them into third. And according to football betting odds, this is United’s position to lose.

A Clear Schedule

Manchester United, having no European football commitments this season, was talked up at the start of the current campaign as a reason why they should be on for a successful Premier League season, and you’d say this is the case more than ever now. United’s sole focus is the league, with many free weeks between fixtures to come between now and the end of May.

This puts United in a great position because the teams above and below them all have more commitments, be it in Europe or in domestic cup competitions. There will be travelling, fatigue, and a need to rotate. In contrast, Carrick and his staff will have plenty of time to work with the squad between fixtures, with players also able to rest and recover properly. This will make all the difference.

The Good Run Continues

Momentum is huge in football, and right now United are riding the crest of a wave. Since Carrick’s arrival, the only points dropped came away at West Ham. They’ve not only become a winning machine, but they’ve also rediscovered some of the United of old, which has certainly been lacking at the club for a number of years.

There have been setbacks in games, such as when Palace raced into a 1-0 lead at Old Trafford, but United don’t panic. Instead, there’s a belief they can overcome anything, which they did against Palace, and have done in other fixtures such as Fulham at home, where a late leveller by the Cottagers on 91 minutes was then topped by a Sesko winner on 94 minutes. In this kind of form, and with this belief, and as already proven, United can beat anyone.

Conclusion

You look at the Premier League table as things stand and the fixtures Manchester United will play between now and the end of the 2025/26 season, and it’s easy to see why so many believe finishing third is on. They play Aston Villa shortly, which will be a great opportunity to cement third, especially as the Villains have hit a sticky patch.