Manchester United assistant Steve Holland believes the team have to strive for more than just a top-four finish as they close in on a return to the Champions League
Steve Holland during a Manchester United training session
Steve Holland says Manchester United can not be content with just a top-four finish(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United FC)
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Steve Holland insists that Manchester United must not just settle for clinching Champions League qualification ahead of the team's final stretch of Premier League fixtures.
The Red Devils had no European commitments this term following a chastening 2024-25 campaign, meaning they have just seven games left to play this season. They are, though, on course to return to Europe's premier competition following a significant upturn in form since the arrival of Michael Carrick, who succeeded Ruben Amorim back in January.
United are currently third in the table with a seven-point buffer over sixth-placed Chelsea in the Champions League places.
But Holland says that the goal for a club like Manchester United has to be to finish as close to the Premier League summit as possible - and that a desire to achieve more than just a top-four finish has been stressed to the dressing room.
"I think the language we should be using as this club is to finish as close as we possibly can to the top," United's assistant coach told the club's website. "I don't know how possible that is, but that has to be the challenge always: to get as close as we possibly can to the top.
"We've been speaking more to the players really about winning our matches, rather than thinking too much about what's happening below.
"But clearly given the context, to finish in the Champions League places would be a good situation for us, but I think always we should be looking for more than that."
Holland joined the club midway through the season as part of Carrick's coaching team after the former Manchester United midfielder was installed as head coach on an interim basis.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (R) looks on next to assistant Steve Holland during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Holland came to the club as part of Michael Carrick's coaching team(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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After winning seven and losing just one of his 10 matches at the helm, Carrick has now emerged as a genuine contender to remain in the post beyond this season.
Speaking during a training camp in the Republic of Ireland, Amad has endorsed Carrick for the job full-time, saying: "From a personal view he's the right man. He has a lot of experience; he knows the club and has the DNA.
"His relationship with every player is very good. Sometimes this kind of manager can bring the club where they belong.
"It's not the players who decide but my honest opinion is we're really happy to have Michael Carrick as a manager."
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