Senne Lammens insists the Red Devils won't relax despite securing Champions League football, as the Belgian keeper details his manager's demands for a ruthless top-three finish.
Manchester United confirmed their spot in the Champions League next season last weekend with a win against Liverpool. However, the Red Devils' trip to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland was a different story with a poor 0-0 display.
Michael Carrick's side created little chances with their only shot on target coming in the 93rd minute from Matheus Cunha: this being the only clear chance of the afternoon for United.
Five changes were made to Carrick's previous starting eleven, with the absences of Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko proving to be vital. The point boosts United's hopes of a top three finish but puts an end to their run of three wins in a row.
It was Senne Lammens who was primarily responsible for United holding onto any points, bringing crucial saves to deny Noah Sadiki and Brian Brobbey, keeping his seventh clean sheet in his debut season in the Premier League.
The Belgian goalkeeper spoke out following the draw about Carrick's new message to the squad with the end of the season in sight.
Lammens reveals Carrick's squad message
Despite securing a Champions League finish, Lammens revealed Carrick's words to the squad, emphasising the intent on finishing the season strong.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, the goalkeeper stated, "It's very important to show up and deliver in every game. We are going to try and win every game possible. We want to give back to our fans, who have been very supportive this season.
"The manager has got the point across to us that this season is not finished. We have got Champions League, but we also want to finish third. We don't want to finish below third, we want to keep those other teams away from us. I hope - and I think - our team thinks the same way as me."
Carrick came into the side replacing Ruben Amorim with the goal of securing a place in next season's Champions League,. With no other competitions to look at, all attention could be focussed on the league.
Whilst Carrick has done his job, ending on a high will only strengthen United's morale heading into a long summer. The so-called 'United DNA' has been all the talk when discussing United's mentality this season, and keeping the foot on the gas shows Carrick's embodiment of this.
What did Carrick learn from Sunderland draw?
The major talking point from Man United's perspective following that disappointing draw would be the lack of ability to create chances, and with the loss of Sesko and Casemiro from the side, the aerial threat from set pieces and link-up play was certainly lower in quality.
The game saw Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo as the midfield pairing behind Bruno Fernandes, who is still yet to reach that infamous assist record. Sunderland's pure relentlessness meant that United were still losing a lot of midfield battles and second balls.
The energy and defensive awareness of Casemiro was majorly missed, and something that United may rely on in the final two fixtures.
Heading into United's final home game next weekend against a Nottingham Forest side who are fighting relegation, Carrick must change his approach as fans would imagine Forest to give everything at Old Trafford.