Carrick: Manchester United are missing their edge

Daniel Storey

Michael Carrick says that Manchester United are missing their “edge” this season.

Carrick believes that United can still finish in the top four, but says the club’s form is frustrating because they are very close to clicking.

Should United lose to Chelsea on Sunday, the gap to the top will be 21 points. At the end of the David Moyes/Ryan Giggs season, United were 22 points from the top.

Carrick says that Jose Mourinho’s team has been playing well for a long time, but just not getting the job done.

“People are saying about the Europa League maybe being the best chance for us but you cannot look at it like that,” Carrick said.

“Football is football and a lot can happen. There is no way we can give up on the top four.

“It is still close. Yeah, we have got a tough run-in but it is still close.

“It is frustrating. If we were really struggling football-wise and were miles away, then in some ways you can’t accept it but you can see why you are struggling.

“But we have been playing so well for so long it is just that edge, that little bit of something, to finish teams off.

“As a team and a squad we’ll grow and develop that. There’s a lot of positives to take from our performances for some months now.”