Michael Carrick insisted it will take a ‘jump’ for Manchester United to mount a genuine Premier League title challenge this season.
United picked up more points than every other team in the league following Carrick’s appointment in January, earning 39 points from his 17 games.
That impressive form saw the Red Devils finish the season in third place, with Carrick rewarded with the permanent role over the summer.
United have looked to strengthen this summer, particularly in central midfield following the departure of Casemiro and a major injury to Manuel Ugarte.
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However, there remain areas where the squad is light, particularly at left-back, and Carrick hinted that his side are perhaps not quite at the level required to challenge Arsenal for the title yet.
‘It’s going to be a jump,’ Carrick said in his pre-match press conference when asked whether his side could be title challengers this season.
‘It doesn’t matter whether I say we can or can’t – and I would never say we can’t – it’s about what we can do, and what we are capable of doing as a group.
‘I think the run of form that we had last season gives us a lot of confidence but we know there’s a whole new step to make as a group.
‘We’re pushing to do that; it’s exciting. I think we’ve got the potential to achieve things, and we’re definitely giving everything that we can. We’ve got to believe that we’re a good team and we can do good things.’
United kick off the season with fixtures against newly-promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town, but Carrick rejected the idea that his side had an easier start than their rivals.
‘There are no favourable starts,’ he added. ‘It’s an easy thing to throw out there but pretty ridiculous.
‘It’s a tough start against both teams, but we’re not getting past Saturday. A newly-promoted team away from home will be a tough game.
‘That is the beauty of the new season. For teams coming up into the league, there tend to be quite a few changes. That is the challenge playing against them, we are fully aware of that. Mentally and physically we have done a lot of work. We are fully aware of what’s at stake and what’s coming at us.’
United are hoping to have Benjamin Sesko involved after he missed the entirety of pre-season with a shin problem, while Carrick said that Mason Mount is a doubt after missing United’s games against Leeds United and AC Milan.
‘Ben’s back training, so that’s, again, another positive,’ Carrick said.
‘Looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes as well.
‘And then [we’re] managing Mason a little bit, but he’s very close, so it’s touch and go for the weekend, really, if not, going into next week.
‘He’s picked up a little bit of a knock, it’s no dramas. Maybe it’s been a week or so, or 10 days or whatever it’s been. So, it’s nothing major.’
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