Manchester United are back in the Champions League, having last played in the tournament in 2023.
The Red Devils have not competed in the European elite since 2023 and have not reached a semi-final, let alone a final, since 2011, when their manager Michael Carrick was still a player at the club.
With United now back playing at the highest level, Carrick is not ruling anything out as he voiced a belief his players can spring a surprise.
Manchester United players walk off the pitch after their Premier League 2026/27 match against Everton. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
He said: “I think we’re capable of doing some really good things in this competition and going further down the line in this competition, and then who knows when it gets to that stage. I’m not writing anything off.
“We’re delighted to be here, but we’re not here to just enjoy the occasion. We’re here to do business and go as far as we possibly can.
“We want to keep pushing, and the expectation is great. We want the expectation, we want the hope and the belief that we can achieve things quickly. That’s the ultimate challenge, you know. We’ve done an awful lot of good work to be here in a short space of time, and credit to the players for that.”
Manchester United players take part in the training session on the day before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match against Sabah at Carrington Training Ground on September 09, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
United begin their campaign at home to Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Despite making a slow start to the Premier League, with only four points to show from their first three games, United are favourites heading into the gagain
Carrick also noted that the Champions League has a huge importance to United and he is determined to make them regulars in the competition again.
“It means an awful lot,” he added. “We’ve missed out on it for a number of years, and now we’re back, so I think it means a lot, you know. It’s where we want to be every single year and it’s where we should expect to be without being ahead of ourselves.”
After their game on Thursday, United have a Manchester derby on Sunday and Manchester City, who beat Porto 2-0 on Tuesday, will have two days more to prepare.
