Carrick refuses to panic after Man United’s 2-0 Hull City defeat

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Michael Carrick insisted he would not blast his Manchester United’s flops despite a dismal 2-0 defeat at Hull City in their opening game of the Premier League season, while Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage suffered a debut loss against Everton.

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Carrick’s side were rocked by first half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.

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Hull, who are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, were without 10 players due to injury but still put woeful United to the sword with a vibrant display.

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It was a chastening start for United, who are expected to mount a title challenge after finishing third last term.

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There was scant evidence that United are capable of going toe to toe with champions Arsenal.

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But the stoic Carrick was determined to keep his composure to avoid the kind of emotional outburst that doomed his sacked predecessor Ruben Amorim last season.

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“We came here to win so to not take anything away is hugely disappointing. It is not a nice feeling but it is not going to change our direction as a team or a club,” Carrick said.

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“It can happen, we can be better. There are issues playing against different systems and we have to find answers to that.

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“You have to carry on as normal. We just don’t all have to shout and scream and create some chaos. Calmness doesn’t mean there is not emotion.”

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Sage, Palace’s new French manager, endured a miserable start in a 2-0 loss at Everton.

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Under Sage’s predecessor Oliver Glasner, the Eagles won the FA Cup in 2025 and the UEFA Conference League last season.

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But Glasner left for Nottingham Forest in the close-season, with Sage hired after leading Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and a French Cup triumph last season.

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– Woe for Glasner –

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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall gave Everton the lead against the run of play in the 42nd minute, dispossessing Daniel Munoz before lashing a powerful shot into the far corner of Dean Henderson’s net.

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Thierno Barry added to Sage’s misery with a bullet header from Iliman Ndiaye’s 53rd minute cross.

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Glasner’s first game as Forest boss ended in a 1-0 defeat against Leeds at the City Ground.

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Anton Stach’s 88th minute free-kick squirmed past Forest keeper Matz Sels to seal the points for Leeds, who face Glasner’s men again in the League Cup second round on Tuesday.

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Ipswich marked their return to the Premier League with a dramatic 2-1 win against Sunderland at Portman Road.

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Emersonn put Ipswich ahead with a debut goal in the 24th minute, the Brazilian forward slotting home after Julio Enciso punished a mistake by Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien.

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Nilson Angulo equalised in the 39th minute with a fine free-kick that cannoned in off the crossbar.

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But Jack Clarke seized on Omar Alderete’s wayward pass and curled home in the 90th minute, giving Gary O’Neil a victory in his first game as Ipswich boss after replacing Kieran McKenna.

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Big-spending Tottenham make the short trip to west London to face Brentford in Saturday’s late game.

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On Sunday, Manchester City start life without Pep Guardiola when new boss Enzo Maresca takes charge for the first time against Bournemouth.

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Liverpool, who parted with Egypt forward Mohamed Salah in the close-season, are also under new management as former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola prepares for his first match against Newcastle.

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Europa League winners Aston Villa travel to Brighton with a new-look side after selling several of their star players.

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Arsenal opened their title defence with an emphatic 3-0 win at home to promoted Coventry on Friday.

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AFP

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