Manchester United captain Michael Carrick has set the standard for the club next season by stating that a top-four finish is not good enough for the team.

Carrick will wear the captains armband at United next season, taking over the role from Wayne Rooney who departed to Everton this summer. The 35-year-old was quick to express his desires for the club, and hopes he can lead United to a 21st league title in what could be his final year at Old Trafford.

United have had a tough time in the league since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, only finishing fourth once. But Carrick insists that a top four finish is not good enough for the size of United, saying the club must win the league or nothing.

“I can’t get my head around that, to say top-four is acceptable,” said Carrick. “You can’t expect to win the league every year. But you’ve got to set out to do that.”

“We can’t be sat here saying finishing in the top four is a step up from last season. That’s not what we’re about here. We need to be aiming for the top. As players, we understand that, and that’s what we’re geared for as a club. We’ve got to put it into practice and take it a step further than we have done the last few years. It’s pretty much win the league or nothing for me.”

Carrick arrived at Manchester United in 2006, and has won it all – including 5 Premier League titles. He understands the sheer size of the club, and the standards that must be set as a result.

“I’m well aware of the standards that need to be set at this club. ‘I’ve been fortunate to have played with some great leaders and characters in my career here and I’ve learned a lot.”

“There have been times in the league when standards have dropped, there’s no hiding from that. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get back there again if you keep doing the right things.”

“It’s a big club, this; a beast of a football club. There are things that come with that: responsibility, pressure and expectation, and that’s only off the pitch. So when you get on the pitch it’s a different ball game as well.”

“When you’re here, it’s difficult to explain how different it can be to other clubs until you go through it. There are big players who come here and, for whatever reason, it hasn’t worked for them.” [Quotes via Daily Mail]

Michael Carrick’s display of ambition so far is great to see, United should definitely be aiming for the title next season – and perhaps Carrick’s experience and leadership qualities will help kick off this new era at the club with their first league title since 2013.