2026-08-23 11:30:14
Michael Carrick admitted Manchester United lacked “spark” on the opening day of their Premier League campaign.
The Red Devils slumped to a shock 2-0 defeat against newly-promoted Hull City – but Carrick tried to remain philosophical after the match.
The former United midfielder told TNT Sports: “Some of it was OK, there’s bits to improve on. It was never going to be perfect, but going behind and giving ourselves a lot to do makes it more difficult.
“It was a typical one of those games, with a newly-promoted team at home. You can’t give them much, they’ve got a lot to hold on to.
“After that, we had moments and opportunities but we didn’t have the spark to put the chances away or create any more. We’re bitterly disappointed with the result, but we won’t let it knock us.”
Carrick explained to MUTV that the defeat won’t change United’s long-term approach.
The coach said: “It’s one game. It’s the first game of the season so it’s disappointing enough and it hurts, of course it does. But it’s one game, it doesn’t change the whole course of the direction the team or the football club is going in. We’ll stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week.”
By contrast, Bruno Fernandes, the United captain, was more critical of his team.
The 31-year-old midfielder accused United of repeating the same mistakes as last season.
He said: “It was the same mistakes we made last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to the opponent.
“In the first 20 minutes, their goalkeeper was the one with the most touches.
“We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals.
“Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment. We knew before the game set-pieces would be a big part of their game.”
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