Manchester United could be top of the table – but Michael Carrick will have failed if Champions League football isn’t secured

 Michael Carrick has turned around Manchester United’s fortunes – but it’s Champions League qualification or bust for the interim boss.

That’s the view of talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook, who believes the Red Devils would be top of the table had results gone their way this term.

Carrick has forced United into Champions League qualification contentionGetty

United turned to their club legend and ex-caretaker boss Carrick to replace Ruben Amorim in the dugout on a deal until the end of the campaign.

And he has excelled in his audition to get the job on a full-time basis – winning each of his three fixtures against sides they failed to beat in the first half of the season.

A derby victory over Manchester City was followed up with a win at Premier League leaders Arsenal, before United scored a last-minute winner against Fulham last time out.

At the time of Amorim’s axing last month, United were sitting in sixth spot – three points behind Liverpool in fourth – and trailing third-placed Aston Villa by 11 points.

They are now sitting pretty in fourth, and have cut the gap on the Villans to just five points.

And with fifth spot once again likely to earn Champions League qualification, United are on course to feature in the revamped European Cup for the first time.

Their stunning form of late has fans optimistic for the future, so much so that Crook believes they could even be above Arsenal, who are 12 points clear of United.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Inside Devils show, he boldly stated: “If they just converted some of those shambolic home performances.

“Everton against ten men [1-0 defeat], West Ham [1-1 draw], Bournmeouth [4-4 draw], Wolves [1-1 draw], Fulham away [1-1 draw].

“If they just converted those into the wins that the performances deserved, they’d be top of the table.”

United are on course for a return to Europe’s premier competition for the first time since the 2023/24 seasonShutterstock Editorial 

Carrick has brought the feel-god factor back to the Theatre of DreamsGetty

When told by co-presenter Flex that Liverpool and other teams could say the same thing, Crook said: “But there’s been missed opportunities in a season when at times we’ve not been playing particularly well.

“We could be joint-top of the table right now.”

And Crook then suggested that Carrick and the United squad should hang their heads in shame if Champions League qualification is not achieved.

He remarked: “OK, another bold statement, we can’t not finish in the top six now.

“You look at the gap between the top six and there’s nobody coming out the chasing pack, the top six should be nailed on.

“But I’m going to go further than that, because there’s no midweek games, because Michael Carrick has restored that belief.

United fans are already calling for Carrick to be appointed on a full-time basis

“I do think third is up for grabs, but that wasn’t what I’m going to say, I’m going to say now, it’s going to be a failure if we don’t finish in the top four.

“Top five should be enough [for Champions League spot], but bear in mind that Liverpool and Chelsea are going to be distracted by Europe.

“Aston Villa… I think you’re going to get into a position with Unai Emery where I think he will prioritise the Europa League.

“So I think it would be a massive let down if from here we don’t get in the top five.

“And I tell you what, we wouldn’t have been saying that three weeks ago… with the other fella.”

Meanwhile, talkSPORT’s Angelina Kelly has suggested that United could benefit from a drop-off in quality from their rivals next season to mount a possible title charge.

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Trying her best to not get carried away by the club’s form, Kelly said: “If Man United, and this is a bit of delusion here, but if Man United have a good season next season and they potentially are challenging…

“Because you’ve got to look at it, Arsenal are their own entity.

“Manchester City, a lot of talk about Pep Guardiola potentially not being there next season.

“What does the future look like for that side who haven’t been at their best this season?

“You look at the shambles that is Chelsea, you look at Aston Villa – especially with the transfer issues – are they realistically going to be able to keep up again.”

Interjecting, Crook then stated: “Newcastle, not really going anywhere at the moment.”

Guardiola is tied down at the Etihad until 2027, but questions marks still remain over his future beyond this seasonGetty

Kelly then stated: “Newcastle, like you mentioned… and again, I’m not saying Man United are going to win the Premier League title in the next couple of seasons.

“But if we do finish in the top four and we see some of these teams not be able to compete…

“Even Liverpool, Arne Slot‘s job, people are talking about it, who knows what’s going to happen there?

“We could actually see a drop in quite a few Premier League teams.

“And if Manchester United next season, and I’m not saying they’re going to win the Premier League title, but they a strong run in that top four…”

A giddy Crook then said: “We’re going to get accused of getting carried away.”

To which Kelly said: “I know, I completely get it, but stranger things have happened.”

She later added: “I get it, I get that people will say, ‘It’s delusion,’ but all I’m saying is, stranger things have happened.

“If Manchester United finish in the top four, and we also see a certain change of events with these other Premier League clubs.

“I’m talking the future of Slot is uncertain, there’s a lot of talk about Pep Guardiola, see how these other teams [get on], what’s realistic?”

United will be looking to make it four top-flight wins for the first time since February 2024 when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford for Saturday’s 12:30pm kick-off – live on talkSPORT.

The Red Devils haven’t beaten Spurs since their 2-0 win on home soil in October 2022.