Carrick: EFL Cup Tie Isn't Over

Michael Carrick insists Manchester United won’t fall into the trap of sitting back on a two-goal lead in Thursday’s EFL Cup semi-final, second leg against Hull City.

The Reds are in a strong position after winning the first leg 2-0 at home a fortnight ago, with Marouane Fellaini adding what could prove to be a vital late second goal after Juan Mata had opened the scoring. 

But Carrick has warned against the pitfalls of merely trying to protect that advantage and expects a strong United side to treat the KCOM Stadium encounter as a one-off tie.

"It's definitely not over, we all know that," the 35-year-old told MUTV. "We are telling ourselves that. I think we'll be pretty much full strength and will approach the game like it's a 0-0 and starting from scratch. 

"It's dangerous when you go in there defending a lead to tell yourself this result will do or that result will do, or we can afford to do this or that. 

"We need to approach it like any other game, keep our focus and intensity and try to win the game."

Victory would book United's place in the final for the first time in this competition since 2010, when the Reds defeated Aston Villa 2-1 to lift the trophy for the fourth time. 

"Going to Wembley, winning a trophy, how can you not like that?" Carrick continued. "Especially when we feel we are as close as we are to getting there, without taking anything for granted.

"That's what you play for and that's what the fans want to watch; they want to go and celebrate victories and win things, lift trophies, have a good day out and enjoy it."