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Carrick Admits Man United Have ‘A Lot to Learn’ After Shock Hull Loss
Man Utd began their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 loss to Hull as Michael Carrick admitted his team have plenty to improve.
Michael Carrick has admitted Manchester United have “a lot to learn” after their Premier League campaign began with a surprise 2-0 defeat away to promoted Hull City on Saturday.
Hull made the most of their return to the top flight, defeating United at the MKM Stadium with first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy.
United, meanwhile, struggled to create clear chances and were repeatedly exposed defensively, with two set-piece lapses ultimately deciding the contest.
The result represents a major setback for a United side hoping to improve on last season’s third-place finish and mount a serious title challenge.
‘We Have a Lot to Learn’
Carrick admitted United must improve quickly after Hull capitalised on their defensive mistakes.
“We have a bit to improve on, it was never going to be perfect. Going behind makes it more difficult, against a promoted team at home,” Carrick said.
“We can’t give them much and they had opportunities. We’re disappointed but it won’t knock us.”
The United manager had already warned his players that Hull and Ipswich, both promoted for the new season, would provide difficult tests.
After his warning was proved correct, Carrick insisted the defeat could help his team grow.
“It’s for us to know and to improve during the week and keep getting stronger as a group. We have a lot to learn from it,” he said.
“Two goals is frustrating anyway. They decide the game today and there’s things to improve on.”
United May Need More Reinforcements
Carrick has previously urged United’s hierarchy to add more players following a relatively quiet transfer window.
Debutants Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos failed to make much of an impression in midfield and were both substituted during the second half.
United have reached an agreement to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, but Carrick refused to comment on the transfer before it becomes official.
“One game doesn’t change the direction of everything. It doesn’t change the direction of the football club,” he said.
On Baleba, Carrick added: “I had all eyes on this today so any other player, until he’s ours, it’s not for me to comment on.”
Fernandes: United Must Match the Intensity
Captain Bruno Fernandes also endured a frustrating afternoon, struggling to influence the game as Hull maintained their advantage.
The United captain said the team understood the supporters’ disappointment but urged them to remain behind the players.
“We understand the frustration, every season at the start we want to compete and win every game but we need the fans on our side, and to believe in ourselves,” Fernandes said.
He also identified the key reason for the defeat.
“We know in the Premier League these types of away grounds are difficult to play against. You need to match their intensity and aggression. The two set pieces ended up costing us the game today.”
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