Michael Carrick issues rallying cry as Man United seek to end Champions League exile and reveals when he last spoke to Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Michael Carrick has urged Manchester United to seize their chance to qualify for the Champions League and end a two-year exile from Europe’s elite.

United have put themselves in contention for a top-five finish after winning four and drawing one of Carrick’s five games since he was appointed head coach until the end of the season.

Returning to the Champions League could be worth in excess of £100million, and United can take another step towards qualification at Everton on Monday night.

‘It’s good that everyone’s asking that question. It shows that we’ve put ourselves in a good position to start with,’ said Carrick, who was a European Cup winner under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008.

‘It’s where we want to be. We’ve had success in this competition before, and some great experiences. For all sorts of different reasons, it’s where we want to be. So it’s definitely what we’re pushing for.

‘We’re positive, I think we should be. I think there’s a lot of good things to take and look forward to. But then again, it’s up to us and putting it into play really. It’s possible, and it’s up to us to take the opportunity.

‘We’re not getting too carried away now all of a sudden after a few weeks. We know where we’re at, we’re in a good position. 

‘I’d still like to be in a better position, mind you, but we’re in a good position.’

The two-week break since United’s last game, a 1-1 draw at West Ham, has been overshadowed by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial comments about immigration.

Carrick revealed that he hasn’t seen Ratcliffe since his second game in charge at Arsenal a month ago, but he added: ‘We’re definitely all pulling together, I think. Being around here and being in stadiums in the last few weeks, and certainly in this environment, quite closely, it’s clear as you could ever be it’s pulling together, so we’re pretty strong as a group.

‘The last time I saw Jim was Arsenal, to be honest, and I’m fine with that. I don’t think there’s anything that I need in terms of constant communication from above.

‘My role is to create the environment within the group, and obviously lead in terms of the first team and beyond that. I don’t necessarily need it from above to be constant.’