Manchester United assistant Steve Holland believes the team must strive for more than just a top-four finish as they move closer to returning to the Champions League.
Steve Holland says Manchester United won’t be satisfied with just a top-four finish (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United FC)
Steve Holland insists Manchester United should not be content with just qualifying for the Champions League ahead of their final Premier League game.
After a difficult 2024-25 season, the Red Devils did not have a contract in Europe this season. That means there are only seven games left this season. However, their form has improved significantly since the arrival of Michael Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim in January, and they are on track to return to Europe’s top competition.
United currently sit in third place in the Champions League, seven points behind sixth-placed Chelsea.
But Holland said the aim of a club like Manchester United is to finish as close to the top of the Premier League as possible and the desire to finish above the top four had been emphasized in the dressing room.
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“I think the word we should use as a club is to finish as close to the top of the table as possible,” United’s assistant coach told the club’s website. “I don’t know how possible that is, but the challenge should always be to get as close to the top as possible.
“We haven’t thought too much about what’s going on down there and have been talking to the players about actually winning games.
“But obviously given the circumstances, finishing in the Champions League would be a good situation for us, but I think we should always be looking for more than that.”
Holland joined the club midway through the season as part of Carrick’s coaching team after the former Manchester United midfielder took over as head coach on an interim basis.
Holland arrived at the club as part of Michael Carrick’s coaching team (Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Carrick, who has won just seven and lost one of his 10 games in charge, has emerged as a serious candidate to remain in the post beyond this season.
Speaking during a training camp in the Republic of Ireland, Amado backed Carrick’s full-time appointment, saying: “From a personal point of view, he’s the right person. He’s got a lot of experience, he knows the club well, he’s got the DNA.”
“His relationship with all the players is very good. Sometimes this kind of manager can lead the club to where they are.”
“It’s not up to the players to decide, but my honest opinion is that I’m really happy to have Michael Carrick as manager.”
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