The Red Devils secured UEFA Champions League qualification following their 3-2 victory over rivals Liverpool last weekend and take on 12 placed Black Cats who still have an outside chance of European qualification.
"[Sunderland] got an awful lot to play for," said Carrick at the media briefing at Carrington.
"I think it's very tight [in the Premier League table], sixth to 12th, maybe, is really, really tight: three, four points. So, I think they've got a lot to play for. They've had a fantastic season.
"[It's] not easy to come and get promoted and to stay in the league, first and foremost, has proved difficult over recent times, but to be in the top half, and to be within the touching distance and getting in Europe as well, is full credit to the season that they've had."
Man United can seal third spot on the log with two matches to spare if they win at Sunderland on Saturday.
