Michael Carrick admits Sunderland nightmare ‘sticks in memory’ ahead of return | OneFootball

Michael Carrick is expecting a tough test against Sunderland as he returns to the scene of one of his worst days as a Manchester United player.

It is 14 years since final-day delight at the Stadium of Light turned into a nightmare as Sergio Aguero’s late strike against QPR saw Manchester City snatch the Premier League title away from Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

United were waiting for news of the final whistle from the Etihad Stadium having completed a 1-0 win at Sunderland, whose fans revelled in the visitors’ late heartache as news emerged of a mammoth turnaround.

“Yeah, yeah, I can remember that,” Carrick, part of the midfield that day, said with a wry smile. “I’ve not forgotten it.

“Obviously it was a one-off kind of feeling. It wasn’t during the game, it wasn’t until after the game, kind of didn’t really know exactly where the land was lying at that point.

“So it wasn’t until we walked towards the edge of the pitch and we had to deal with what was thrown at us.

“It’s in the past, you know, but, yeah, it definitely sticks in the memory.”

There is no possibility of such a painful setback on Saturday afternoon, with the Premier League title well beyond United and Champions League qualification secured with three games to play.

But there is also little chance of the third-placed Red Devils taking their foot off the gas against a Sunderland side looking to finish their memorable Premier League return on a high.

“They have got an awful lot to play for,” Carrick said of the Black Cats, who sit 12th having surpassed expectations since promotion via the Championship play-offs.

“I think it’s very tight – sixth to 12th maybe is really, really tight. Three, four points, so I think they’ve got a lot to play for.

“They’ve had a fantastic season. Not easy to come and get promoted and to stay in the league, first and foremost, has proved difficult over recent times.

“But to be in the top half and to be within the touching distance of getting in Europe as well, it’s full credit to the season that they’ve had.”

United host Nottingham Forest and travel to Brighton as they round off a 40-game season – their fewest in a campaign in 111 years.

That coupled with a lack of injuries has allowed Carrick to largely stick with the same side since taking charge, but the chance to reward those on the periphery with game-time is something he is keeping in mind.

“I think every player in the squad has been absolutely fantastic, I have to say,” he added.

“Some have played a lot more than others and I understand, from a professional and a playing point of view, it can be difficult.

“But the togetherness and the support that the players have shown, certainly to each other, is great to see.

“It’s what we need within the group and that’s part of the challenge of doing a lot of training and not having as many games as we would have liked.

“I think it’s something that we’re really keen on playing well and still trying to get good results as well but, yeah, it’s definitely something to be aware of.”