Carrick Defends Manchester United's Challenging Start to Premier League Season

Michael Carrick has dismissed as “ridiculous” any suggestion that Manchester United have been gifted a gentle introduction to the new Premier League season.

United begin with a Saturday lunchtime trip to newly-promoted Hull City before welcoming another top-flight newcomer, Ipswich Town, to Old Trafford the following week. On paper, some have painted it as a soft launch. 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, pushing back at the narrative. “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.”

This is Carrick’s first full season as permanent manager at Old Trafford. The tone is clear: no shortcuts, no excuses.

Sesko and Darlow ready to return

United’s preparations for Hull come with a timely boost. Benjamin Sesko and new goalkeeper Karl Darlow are both set to travel after stepping up their recoveries in training this week.

Neither featured in any of the club’s six pre-season friendlies, but both are now back in full sessions and available for selection.

Sesko, 23, has not played since early May after suffering a shin injury against Liverpool, a setback that wiped out his entire pre-season. His return changes the shape of United’s attack.

“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.

Minutes will have to be managed. Expectations will not.

Mount ‘touch and go’ but backed to come through

There was less certainty over Mason Mount. The midfielder is “touch and go” for the opener after a foot injury picked up in the 1-1 pre-season draw with Paris Saint-Germain.

Mount’s time at Old Trafford has been scarred by fitness problems. Across three seasons he has managed just 72 appearances, a stop-start spell that has never quite allowed him to build momentum. Carrick, though, is unwavering in his belief.

“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 issue is not talent. It is rhythm.

“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,” he 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.”

The message is pointed: United plan around Mount as a central figure, not a luxury.

Rashford reborn after Barcelona spell

If Mount is chasing rhythm, Marcus Rashford is already striding into it.

Carrick has been delighted with the forward’s form and attitude since his return from a successful loan spell at Barcelona. Once out of favour under previous managers, Rashford has rejoined the squad with a different edge and is now in contention 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.

Rashford’s versatility is another card in Carrick’s hand. The manager accepts that playing through the middle is not necessarily the forward’s primary role, but his ability to operate centrally gives United valuable options across the front line over a long season.

An away day at a fired-up, newly-promoted Hull, a squad still knitting together after injuries and loans, a manager bristling at talk of an easy ride. If this is what “favourable” looks like, what will the rest of United’s season demand?