Man United can give their transfer kitty a boost by hitting new target

Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim when United's return to the Champions League looked far from guaranteed. Two wins from a run of seven winnable games under Amorim left the Old Trafford hierarchy sweating on the possibility of a second successive season without any kind of European football.

That January switch in the dugout has transformed the season, and it now looks like a matter of time until United's Champions League place is secured, but that 13% or so that they still, somehow, miss out will be enough to have recruitment chiefs working on a couple of different transfer window plans.

There is a £100million or so difference to United's bottom line between reaching the Champions League and missing out, so that will have a major knock-on effect on the transfer budget. Time is also of the essence, given the World Cup.

Those players heading to North America will be linking up with their international teams in early June and they could be there until July 19. Doing deals during the tournament will be more difficult, and United, like other clubs, will want to get as much done early in the window as possible.

United want at least a couple of midfielders this summer, as well as a couple of left-sided players. Signing the players they really want will depend not only on Champions League revenues but also on having a spot in that competition to attract top targets.

So the sooner a return to Europe's top table is confirmed, the more concise United's transfer planning can become. That makes extending this run of form under Carrick vital, not only to avoid nerves in the final couple of games, but to bring clarity to what can and can't be achieved this summer.

Making a winning return to action against Leeds United at Old Trafford after a 24-day break will edge them closer to securing a top-five finish, especially with Chelsea facing a difficult task against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

United should be looking to continue their excellent Old Trafford form by beating Leeds and Brentford at home in April. Doing so will offer them a couple of free hits against their Champions League rivals and if they nail those, their Champions League return will be in the bag at the start of May.

Carrick's side head to West London to face Chelsea on Saturday, April 18, with nobody quite sure what comes next from Liam Rosenior's inconsistent side. Then Liverpool visit Old Trafford at the start of May in a game that United must surely be favourites for.

That gives them a target to aim for. United's form under Carrick has put them within touching distance of the Champions League, now they just need to seal the deal, and the sooner the better.