Michael Carrick hailed by Gary Pallister for 'bringing back feeling of wanting to represent Manchester United'

Carrick took over the Red Devils with the club in seventh place midway through the season, leading them to a top-three finish and Champions League football.

Pallister, speaking to the People's Channel on behalf of NetBet Football, believes Carrick has done a fantastic job so far, but there is still more to come.

He said: "I watched his Middlesbrough team in his first year. He was at the club, and honestly, it was some of the best football ever seen.

"Middlesbrough would play in their second season; they lost a few of the players that made it not easy for him.

"But I've seen what he's done with the team, and I was pleased he got the job at United.

"I think there's still a long way to go for him at Manchester United."

Pallister has been encouraged by what Carrick has reinstalled into the club, including "the feeling of wanting to represent Manchester United".

He continued: "He brought in that understanding of what the club meant to the fans, understanding the requirements, the levels that you've got to try and get to, and I think he brought a lot of resilience back in that dressing room.

"Did we play sublime football, really easy on the eye? I wouldn't say so; they fought, which is something that had been lacking - the fight in every game they played.

"That was great to see, and that's ultimately why Michael's got the job. I think now we've got to trust him to go out and buy the players that can help us push us to the next level."

When asked what positions Carrick needs to improve, Pallister believes United desperately need a striker who is the "finished article".

He said: "You've got [Benjamin] Sesko. I think he's successful, but he's learning how to play in the Premier League - he's getting better.

"But I don't think he's a finished article at the moment. They need the finished article; they need a centre forward who can make a real big impact in that league, and then you might be talking about United being challengers."

United finished comfortably third last season, but were still 14 points off top dogs Arsenal and seven points behind rivals Manchester City.

The Red Devils have started making moves, with the club agreeing to a deal worth £50million for Andrey Santos.

United will pay an initial £48million for the Brazilian, with Chelsea negotiating a 10 per cent sell-on clause.

Santos has been cleared for a medical, with his fellow countryman Ederson also scheduled to have one before completing his £35m move to Old Trafford.

United had been linked with Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson, but both players have committed their futures elsewhere.