Michael Carrick believes the prospect of becoming history-makers will ensure Manchester United do not ease up in the Champions League.

United head to Celtic tomorrow knowing victory at Parkhead will effectively seal a place in the knockout stages with two games to spare.

Even for the holders it would be an impressive feat, offering manager Sir Alex Ferguson an opportunity to rest some of his key men for the final-game visit of Aalborg, assuming the final standings in Group E have been decided after the Red Devils' trip to Villarreal in Spain on 25 November.

United are desperate to become the first side to retain Europe's most prestigious club prize and Carrick knows the target will ensure his team-mates remain fully motivated throughout their European campaign.

"No-one has won the Champions League twice in a row before but that is the goal," said Carrick.

"We set ourselves high standards and we have done it once. Why not again? There is no doubt the possibility of winning it again will drive us on this season.

"I have been at United for a couple of years now and know that winning things just makes you want to win more."

England keeper Ben Foster is expected to be handed his Champions League debut by Ferguson, who has decided to rotate United's keepers to give the younger ones some experience while helping first-choice Edwin van der Sar retain some freshness.