2026-08-21 08:52:01
Michael Carrick has rubbished claims that Manchester United have been given an easy start to the Premier League season.
The Red Devils take on newly promoted sides Hull and Ipswich in their first two matches of the new campaign but the coach claims it is “ridiculous” to suggest his team have been given favourable fixtures.
Carrick told reporters: “I think, first of all, for all of us who know this league, there’s no favourable start.
“I think it’s a tough start – both teams, but not getting past Saturday (22.08.26). I think a newly-promoted team away from home is a tough, tough game.
“I’ve been involved in them in the past so I’m fully aware of what’s at stake, what’s coming at us on Saturday, what we’ve got to be ready for, so it’s not favourable.
“I think it’s an easy thing to throw out there, but it’s pretty ridiculous and we’re certainly not taking it that way at all.”
Carrick oversaw a significant upturn in form after taking over as United’s caretaker boss in January – which resulted in him getting the job permanently in May – but feels that his team will need to improve further if the club are to win a first Premier League title since 2013.
He said: “It is going to be a jump. Whatever I say it doesn’t really matter, whether I say we can or can’t and I would never say we can’t, by the way: I don’t believe that. It is about what we can do and what we are capable of doing and what we believe we can do as a group.
“The run of form we had last season gives us confidence but we know there is a whole new step to make as a group. We are pushing to do that. We know we have the potential to achieve things and we have got to believe we are a good team and can do good things.”
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