‘Bitterly disappointed’ Says Michael Carrick

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick admitted he was “bitterly disappointed” after his side suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Hull City in their opening Premier League game of the season.

United were expected to begin the campaign strongly, but instead produced a disappointing performance as Hull took advantage of two set-piece situations to establish a two-goal lead in the first half.

The result is particularly significant for Hull, who were widely tipped to struggle after returning to the Premier League. It was their first-ever Premier League victory over Manchester United and their first league win against the Red Devils in 52 years.

Carrick admits United must improve

Carrick accepted that his team made the game unnecessarily difficult by falling behind early.

“We are bitterly disappointed with the result today,” the United boss said after the match.

He acknowledged that United had opportunities to get back into the game but lacked the quality and attacking spark needed to turn those chances into goals.

“We just didn’t have that spark to then put the chances away or create any more,” Carrick said.

The manager also insisted that the defeat would not derail United’s plans for the season.

“It is one game. First game of the season. It is disappointing enough. It hurts,” Carrick said.

“But it is one game. It doesn’t change the whole course of direction the team is going in or the football club.”

Set pieces prove costly

United’s biggest problem was their defending from dead-ball situations.

Both of Hull’s goals came from set pieces, something Carrick admitted was particularly frustrating given United’s previous record in that area.

“Two goals conceded anyway is frustrating. For sure, set plays, we’ve been pretty good at it over a period of time. That decided the game today,” he said.

Carrick accepted that the performance contained areas that needed immediate improvement but argued that one poor result should not change the team’s overall direction.

“We know that but we still got to be aware of what we need to get better at,” he added.

Bruno Fernandes also frustrated

United captain Bruno Fernandes was similarly unhappy with the defeat, pointing to the recurrence of the “same mistakes” that have cost the club in away games.

For a side hoping to make significant progress this season, the defeat at a newly promoted Hull side represents an early warning.

United now have to respond quickly, with Carrick insisting that the squad will remain focused on improving during the week.

“We will stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week,” he said.

For Hull, however, the result could hardly have been more memorable. A team many expect to fight against relegation has opened the campaign by defeating one of English football’s biggest clubs — and doing so in convincing fashion.