Man Utd boss Carrick buzzing for 'standout' match against rivals Liverpool

[p]England's two most successful clubs, with 20 league titles each, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/liverpool-lId4TMwf/manchester-utd-ppjDR086/?mid=zRIM7cR1"]meet at Old Trafford on Sunday[/a], with both firmly on track to qualify for next season's Champions League.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-united/ppjDR086/"]United[/a] are third in the table, three points clear of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a], with the top five guaranteed a place in Europe's top club competition next season.[/p][p][b]"Certainly one of my favourite games, without doubt it's a standout game,"[/b] said United boss [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/carrick-michael/phM8NElP/"]Carrick[/a].[/p][p][b]"There's big games and big rivalries that we have with other teams, but certainly this one is right up there.[/b][/p][p][b]"The history, the ups and downs the past has produced in these types of games and the excitement and entertainment, and the emotion, which is a huge part of it. It makes it a really special game."[/b][/p][embed guid="ddddb955-a194-47ec-ac4e-d9ed602c28f9" url="https://x.com/ManUtd/status/2050213658081607739" social-type="twitter" /][p]The former United midfielder said the club had made great strides since last season, when they finished a miserable 15th in the table, 42 points behind champions Liverpool.[/p][p][b]"I just think this probably shows the improvements of the group, really, and getting stronger,"[/b] he said.[/p][p][b]"And to be coming into this game in such a good position, on the back of good results, and trying to achieve and move forward.[/b][/p][p][b]"So, fully aware of the situation in the league and how close it is between us. But that's not something, really, we've focused on going into this game. I think it's a one-off game."[/b][/p][embed guid="e0a4f02d-6040-42f0-8b26-e4c875ae78e6" url="https://x.com/ManUtd/status/2049806115257327764" social-type="twitter" /][p]The United boss said the club were "over the moon" after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mainoo-kobbie/nBy3DbC3/"]Kobbie Mainoo[/a] signed a new five-year contract this week.[/p][p]The England international, 21, fell out of favour under former boss Ruben Amorim but was restored to the first team when Carrick took over in January, playing a key role in their resurgence.[/p][p]"He's done fantastic with it," said Carrick. [b]"There's more to come, there's loads more to come. I keep saying that for some time because he's such a young man, but he's in a great spot at the moment."[/b][/p]