Michael Carrick says there is ‘a lot to learn’ and it is ‘frustrating’ after newly-promoted Hull City stunned Manchester United at the MKM Stadium.
Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scored as Hull picked up a shock 2-0 win over Man Utd to return to the Premier League in style. There was optimism among United fans heading into the new campaign after Carrick steered the club into third place last season, but Hull gave the Red Devils a quick reality check.
Indeed, United’s supposed title challenge is immediately over.
In a post-match interview with TNT Sports (via BBC Sport), Carrick said: “We have a bit to improve on. It was never going to be perfect [but] going behind makes it more difficult against a promoted team at home.
“We can’t give them much, and they had opportunities. We’re disappointed but it won’t knock us.”
When asked which areas require improvement, the head coach replied: “It’s for us to know and to improve during the week and keep getting stronger as a group, and we have a lot to learn from it.”
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On the conceded goals, Carrick added: “Two goals is frustrating anyway, they decide the game today and there’s things to improve on.
“One game doesn’t change the direction of everything. It doesn’t change the direction of the football club.”
Carrick was also quizzed on potential new signing Carlos Baleba after United agreed a £70million deal with Brighton for the midfielder. He said: “I had all eyes on this today, so any other player, until he’s ours, it’s not for me to comment on.”
New signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans started in midfield, but the pair failed to impress.
Sky Sports’ William Bitibiri said: “The biggest disappointment from a Man Utd perspective will be the midfield. New signings Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have looked like deer in headlights.”
While talkSPORT’s Alex Crook took aim at United’s defence, which consisted of Noussair Mazraoui, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
‘Fair play to #HCAFC but this is an absolutely atrocious half from #MUFC. Back four has been terrible,’ Crook wrote on X.
‘Will be criminal if the #MUFC brain’s trust don’t sign some defenders between now and September 1.’
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