Carrick Dismisses Easy Start Claims Ahead of Hull Opener
Michael Carrick has dismissed talk of Manchester United being handed a soft landing into the new Premier League season as “pretty ridiculous”, insisting newly-promoted Hull City will provide a fierce opening examination on Saturday.
United begin their campaign with a lunchtime trip to the KC Stadium before welcoming another top-flight newcomer, Ipswich Town, to Old Trafford the following week. On paper, some have branded it a favourable run. Carrick is having none of it.
“First of all, for all of us now, this league, there's no favourable start, you know?” he said. “I think it's a tough start. Both teams, but not getting past Saturday. I think a newly-promoted team, away from home, is a tough, tough game. I've been involved in them in the past.
“So 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 in a certain way and I'm not taking it that way at all.”
For Carrick, embarking on his first full season in permanent charge at Old Trafford, there is no appetite for early-season complacency, no matter the opposition’s status.
Sesko and Darlow return to bolster travelling squad
United’s preparations are boosted by the return of Benjamin Sesko and new goalkeeper Karl Darlow, both of whom are in contention to travel after missing the entire pre-season schedule.
Neither featured in any of the club’s six friendlies, but both have come through a full week of training and are available for selection.
Sesko, 23, has been out since early May with a shin injury picked up against Liverpool, an untimely setback that wiped out his summer and stalled his momentum. Now, at last, he is back among the group.
“Ben is back training, so that is another positive, and looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes,” Carrick said, welcoming the striker’s return to the fold.
Mount ‘touch and go’ but backed to come good
There was less certainty over Mason Mount. The midfielder is “touch and go” for the Hull clash after suffering a foot injury in the 1-1 pre-season draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
Mount’s time at Old Trafford has been repeatedly interrupted by fitness problems. Across three seasons he has managed just 72 appearances, a modest return for a player signed to be a mainstay in midfield. Carrick’s faith, though, has not wavered.
“First of all, Mason's a top player, top player,” he said. “We've seen that so far in the pre-season. He was one of our best players in the early stages in the games that he played and I thought he was fantastic.
“So not surprising, it's what I've seen before, what I expect, what I know of him.”
For Carrick, the key now is continuity. Mount needs games, not stop-start campaigns.
“Of course, he's missed some football over recent years and he wants to be fit, he wants to be in that full rhythm and he wants to stay fit,” the manager added. “So we're doing our best to help him do that, but he's a top player, Mase.
Mason will be back very, very soon, if not immediately, so it's all good.”
Rashford reborn and ready for Premier League return
If Mount is battling to find rhythm, Marcus Rashford arrives at the start line in full stride.
Back from a successful loan spell at Barcelona and previously frozen out under former managers, the 28-year-old has impressed Carrick since rejoining the group for pre-season. The forward is now pushing to make his Premier League return for United at Hull.
“Marcus has come back fantastically well. He's enjoying his football, he looks fit, sharp, strong, and ready to play,” Carrick said, highlighting not just Rashford’s condition but his renewed attitude.
The manager also underlined the tactical value of Rashford’s versatility. While his best work has traditionally come from the left, Carrick sees scope to use him centrally when required.
Playing through the middle “might not be his primary role”, Carrick admitted, but that option gives United an extra dimension in attack as the season unfolds.
The narrative outside Old Trafford might be about an “easy” start. Inside, Carrick is treating Hull away as the kind of early test that can define the tone of a campaign.
