Michael Carrick isn't ready to applaud Manchester United for their top-four finish in the Premier League this season, as the influential midfielder believes the club should be aiming higher.
The 2014-15 season was a much-needed rebound campaign for the fallen Manchester giants after the club finished seventh the previous season under David Moyes.
However simply regaining their place among the Champions League qualifiers is no big cause for celebration, from Carrick's view.
"All in all, we can be satisfied with getting in the top four but it's not worth celebrating. Hopefully we can do a bit of celebrating next season," he told ManUtd.com on Sunday.
"It's an achievement but, listen, it's not that great," he continued. "Finishing seventh was a real blip and it was a one-off.
"This club belongs in the Champions League and we can't get too carried away with making it because we should be there anyway. We're certainly satisfied in some ways because of last season [2013-14], but next season we want to look up and not be settling for fourth."
While the 33-year-old England international wasn't in a congratulatory mood in regards to the season, he did save some praise for United boss Louis Van Gaal, who he credits for supporting him through injury early on.
"He's been terrific for me," Carrick revealed. "I was injured when he first came in, for three months, so it was a while before I really got involved with the boys, with him and his staff.
"But he was good with me from day one. He said, 'don't worry about the injury, just get yourself fit.' He's a big character, he's been in the game a long time and he's seen a lot of things, so he's got a lot to give to the squad."