Manchester United has a chance to secure fourth place and push for third as Premier League rivals drop points! Carrick vows to break through the defensive lines, looking forward to Everton’s challenge.

Following Saturday’s Premier League fixtures, Manchester United briefly slipped from fourth place, yet Carrick’s team finds themselves with an improved chance to close in on third. A victory at Everton on Monday would see the Red Devils climb back into the top four, three points ahead of Chelsea and only three behind Aston Villa in third.

In Saturday’s games, Chelsea, down to ten men, dropped points after a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Burnley; Villa also struggled at home, managing only a 1-1 draw with Leeds United. Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Newcastle means United’s hopes for the title remain slim, but a top-three finish is still well within reach.

Of course, all this depends on Manchester United beating Everton this round; otherwise, the traditional Premier League “letting the top four through” scenario could unfold! Manager Carrick acknowledged that he expects David Moyes’ side to deploy special tactics aimed at ending the Red Devils’ unbeaten run.

In the previous 1-1 draw with West Ham, Nuno Santo tested Manchester United with tight defense and counterattacks, nearly handing Carrick his first defeat if not for Sheshko’s equalizer. On Monday at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Moyes’ Everton is likely to adopt a similar approach.

Having won only four home games this season, Everton fans have organized their largest support campaign yet, with over 500 flags set to wave in the stands before kickoff, aiming to inspire their team.

Carrick urged his players to use this as motivation: “Playing in such a high-level league means striving for more goals. This kind of atmosphere is exactly what we want to experience and be part of. Being in such an environment shows our importance, so we are really looking forward to it. But players must be prepared, as matches are always unpredictable. Overall, Monday night away at Everton should be an enjoyable evening. I’m excited to visit Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time, as I’ve never been there before.”

Regarding Everton’s likely tactics, Carrick analyzed: “No matter how we or the opponents perform, the old Goodison Park was always a tough ground to conquer when Everton played at their best. Goodison has been one of the most challenging stadiums in the league. Moyes has plenty of league experience, and it’s great to see him again, but we know it will be a tough match and we’re prepared. The opponents have built a new stadium, but at the end of the day, it’s still a match we’re looking forward to. We will compete with good form and a positive mindset, trying to maintain our current winning streak.”

Before the game, Carrick watched two matches of Manchester United’s U18 youth team, where his son Jesse also plays. Although the Red Devils are pushing for a Champions League spot, Carrick does not rule out giving opportunities to the youngsters. “I really enjoy watching these games. We are there in person with a few coaches. It’s something we always want to do, and whenever time allows, we follow the youth team between first-team matches,” Carrick explained. “Watching the youth FA Cup also brings back fond memories of playing at a young age.”

Carrick added: “That was a very important match for us, and watching helps us understand how some young players are performing, as well as making them feel the first team’s attention. I’m very pleased with youth coaches Colin Little, Darren Fletcher, and the young players’ performances. They did very well under tough conditions. So, achieving a good result and advancing to the next round made it a wonderful evening.”

After facing Everton, Manchester United will meet Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Villa, and Bournemouth, with the match against Villa potentially deciding the Premier League third-place finish.