Manchester United could secure Champions League return this month, three wins guarantee top five! Carrick warns against underestimating opponents.

On Sunday in Manchester, the city was filled with Manchester City fans. As Pep Guardiola's team defeated Chelsea 3-0, not only did they gain a chance to catch up with Arsenal who seemed far ahead, but Manchester United also benefited. Carrick now only needs to lead the team to win three more matches, or secure 9 points in the final seven rounds through other means, to ensure qualification for next season's Champions League.

The Premier League has officially secured an additional Champions League spot for next season, meaning the top five will guarantee participation. Currently, Manchester United, with one game less played, leads sixth-placed Chelsea by 7 points. Moreover, due to Aston Villa also being held back on Sunday, drawing 1-1 away at Nottingham Forest, Manchester United maintains its third position in the Premier League thanks to a superior goal difference.

Manchester United could confirm their return to the Champions League as early as April, provided they win all three upcoming matches this month against Leeds United, Chelsea, and Brentford, securing a top-five ranking.

Especially this weekend when Manchester United visits Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, defeating this direct competitor would mean Chelsea's maximum points this season would be only 63. If the Red Devils achieve three consecutive wins, their points would exceed Chelsea's maximum by one point, thus securing a Champions League spot.

Even if the Red Devils cannot achieve three consecutive wins, the likelihood of entering the Champions League remains very high, as Chelsea will also visit Liverpool's Anfield Stadium early next month. In that clash between two strong teams, at least one will lose points, so Manchester United might only need two wins to achieve their season goal of returning to the Champions League.

Due to the international break combined with elimination from the FA Cup, Manchester United has not played a match for over three weeks. On Monday, they will resume their campaign by hosting Leeds United at Old Trafford.

Leeds United currently sits only 15th in the Premier League, theoretically still at risk of relegation. They drew with Manchester United at home in the first encounter, so Carrick warns the Red Devils not to underestimate them.

Carrick cautioned: "I think Leeds United is a very strong team, Daniel Farke has adapted well to the team environment. I faced them in the Championship when at Middlesbrough, they were a highly threatening team, and now they have improved and enhanced many aspects. Their performance this season has been quite good, especially recently becoming more stable. Leeds United's defense is very solid, so this will be an extremely tough match."

Regarding the Premier League gaining an extra Champions League spot, Carrick expressed welcome. "Excellent, this is exactly the goal we want to achieve. Of course, other teams' performances are also important, but for us, more opportunities are naturally better," Carrick said. "We hope to achieve the best possible position in the league and also want more Premier League teams to participate. This benefits all teams overall, it's wonderful. When discussing such matters, we often focus more on ourselves."

In terms of players, Manchester United and Leeds United also have contrasting developments. Leeds United's Anton Stach and Joe Rodon suffered ankle injuries in the FA Cup quarter-final and are definitely unavailable, while former Red Devil Daniel James has a muscle injury and again cannot face his old club. For Manchester United, Diogo Dalot, who missed last week's Ireland training due to illness, has recovered and can play against Leeds United. Carrick confirmed: "Diogo (Dalot) is fine now, back with the squad, which is also good news."