Michael Carrick has admitted finishing outside the top four is 'not unthinkable'

Michael Carrick says Manchester United players will not celebrate anything other than finishing top of the Premier League.

United have not won the top-flight title since Sir Alex Ferguson's final year in charge in 2013, and failed to qualify for the current Champions League campaign after finishing outside the top four last season.

The club are sat sixth in the table under Jose Mourinho this time around, 14 points behind leaders Chelsea, but Carrick remains adamant his United team-mates will not be popping champagne bottles until they are champions.

"It's not something we'd celebrate, if we finished third, fourth or even second," Carrick told the Mirror.

"You only celebrate when you win, but the Champions League is a big part of this club. It's where you want to play, it's where the best players want to play.

"So in terms of attracting players and all that type of stuff, the club is geared up for that, of course it is, but you can only celebrate winning, really, and finishing top."

2:37 Highlights as Manchester United beat champions Leicester City 3-0 in their last Premier League fixture Highlights as Manchester United beat champions Leicester City 3-0 in their last Premier League fixture

United could leap-frog rivals Liverpool and Arsenal if they beat Watford on Saturday, depending on other results, before turning their attention to their two-leg Europa League tie against St Etienne and an FA Cup fifth-round match against Blackburn Rovers.

Although Carrick is focused on steering United back up the Premier League table, he has warned the club may have to contemplate another season without Champions League football.

"In terms of the top four, you can't say it's unthinkable not to make it because it's there," said Carrick. "You've got to achieve it, you've got to earn it.

"We've certainly got everything there to give us the best chance of reaching that goal, but the top four has got to be the bare minimum, really."