SOCCER: Man Utd close in on Champions League spot but still work to do, Carrick says

Manchester United's 2-1 victory over Brentford on Monday has brought them to the brink of securing a return to the Champions League, but interim manager Michael Carrick insists the team must continue pushing to finish as high as possible in the Premier League standings.

The win lifted United to third place with 61 points, now 11 points clear of sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion, with only four games remaining. As the top five teams in the Premier League qualify for the Champions League, United need just two more points to secure their spot in Europe's top competition next season, after a two-year absence.

"The Champions League is one thing, but it's not something that we should be over-celebrating either," Carrick said in a post-match interview. "We want to finish high up the league and challenge for as many points as we can so that the season doesn't feel over once we hit that milestone."

The win was an important one for United, who have placed themselves in a strong position for a top-four finish, but Carrick stressed that more work remains. "We have put ourselves in a good position, but there's still more work to be done," he added. Carrick took charge of United in January, with the club sitting in sixth place following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

The match saw midfielder Casemiro find the back of the net, and while fans have urged the club to keep him for another season, Carrick provided clarity on the player's future. "From both sides, it's pretty clear. Probably the situation and the clarity of it has helped everything," he said. "It means a lot to him, and credit to him because, despite everything, he's given absolutely everything and had some big moments for us."

Looking ahead, Manchester United will face fourth-placed Liverpool on Sunday in a crucial encounter that could further solidify their top-four aspirations.

-Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters