Michael Carrick was “almost offended” by the question of whether Manchester United were on the beach after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Sunderland at the Stadium of the Light.

Having secured Champions League qualification last week with a 3-2 win over Liverpool, a United side featuring five changes from that game were second-best for much of the encounter with the Black Cats.

United had just one shot on target in the contest, which did not arrive until the 93rd minute when Matheus Cunha forced the otherwise untroubled Robin Roefs into action.

Though United had nothing to play for, Carrick flatly rejected the notion the Red Devils were not giving their all against a Sunderland side still harbouring faint hopes of European football having long since secured their Premier League status for next season.

“I almost get offended by that, when people are accusing that because the way the players have prepared the game, the way they left the changing room, we faced a tough game, it’s fine,” Carrick said.

“I think if we weren’t in a good headspace and motivated, I think we lose the game today. Sunderland played really well at certain points of the game and made us work for it.

“The fact that our pride in ourselves and each other and the responsibility playing for this great club and being part of it, certainly motivation and focus is not the reason whether we’re going to be brilliant or maybe we’re gonna have a performance where it comes a little bit more challenging, whether it’s today or the next two games, that won’t be the case whether that’s affected at all.”

Carrick pleased as Red Devils ‘dig deep’

Carrick was also pleased by the spirit United side showcased in battling for a hard-earned point.

“It was a tough game,” he added. “Credit to Sunderland, we knew it was going to be a tough game coming here anyway.

“We had to dig deep at times, it wasn’t our best but actually to take something from the game when you’re not at your best is a good trait that we’re trying to build as well.

“There’s obviously changes and sometimes you’re trying to find that rhythm a little bit, which is understandable, but I still quite like a lot of the things we did to give us the foundation to then be able to play better at certain times. But to take the point in a clean sheet for what it is, I think is okay.”