Carrick demands response after Man Utd’s Hull defeat

Michael Carrick acknowledged Manchester United have plenty to improve after their 2-0 defeat at Hull City, but insisted the opening-day setback will not change his approach.

United were outplayed by the newly promoted Tigers at the MKM Stadium, with first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy giving Sergej Jakirovic’s side a memorable victory.

For Carrick, the most disappointing aspect was not simply the result but the manner of United’s performance. The visitors struggled to build sustained pressure and created little in response to Hull’s aggressive approach.

Former United striker Wayne Rooney felt the team had been caught cold.

“When you play a promoted team, it’s always difficult. First game of the season away from home, United just didn’t seem ready for it,” Rooney said.

Alan Shearer also questioned whether United were prepared for the intensity of the contest, while captain Bruno Fernandes highlighted problems that had already surfaced during the team’s pre-season defeat by AC Milan.

“We give too much of the ball to them,” Fernandes told TNT Sports. “We need to press a little bit more, be more aggressive.”

The United captain also identified set-pieces as an area that required immediate attention after Hull punished them from a dead-ball situation.

Carrick: Defeat hurts, but no panic

Carrick was under no illusion about the disappointment inside the United camp, particularly after the optimism generated during the summer.

However, he rejected the suggestion that one defeat should trigger wholesale changes.

“It’s just one game, we’re disappointed we haven’t won,” Carrick said. “It’s not more than that, it’s not less than that.

“We’ve got to soak it up and come back stronger.”

The manager’s composed response should not be mistaken for indifference. Carrick admitted the result had affected him and his players deeply.

“I’m talking to you quite calm,” he said. “But I’m not exactly calm inside and enjoying the day, you know?”

“Inside we’re hurting but it doesn’t mean we all have to shout and scream and come out and create some chaos. The calmness doesn’t mean there’s no emotion in it, for sure.”

Carrick also refused to allow the defeat to alter his broader plans for the season.

“I know a lot goes on outside our football club,” he said. “I understand the responsibility I’ve got.

“I get it. We’ve lost today and there’s questions to be asked. But it doesn’t mean everything’s wrong. It doesn’t make me do things differently.”

United’s response will come against another promoted side when Ipswich Town visit Old Trafford on 30 August.

The recently agreed £70m deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba will give Carrick another option, but the immediate task is to ensure the defeat at Hull remains an isolated setback rather than the beginning of a wider problem.