Manchester United suffered a shocking 2-0 defeat by newly promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, losing to a promoted team on the opening weekend for the first time in the club's history. Head coach Michael Carrick responded with the same calm, measured tone he has shown since taking charge.
When Carrick celebrated his return to Old Trafford in January with back-to-back wins against Manchester City and Arsenal, his message was consistent: "Nobody is getting carried away." That mantra held after the defeat by Hull, even as the result raised fresh questions about the squad's ability to build on the progress made since he replaced Ruben Amorim in the second half of last season.
The 45-year-old's placid exterior has always masked his real emotions, both as a player and now as a coach. At United, his calm demeanour has been a contrast to the emotional outbursts and public self-criticism of his predecessor Amorim.
Carrick's response
Nobody who knows Carrick doubts the competitive edge instilled in him during his playing days under Sir Alex Ferguson, and he must now find a way to pass that same hunger on to a squad that surrendered tamely on Humberside. Players responded well after Carrick's first defeat in charge, at Newcastle in March, but the manner of the loss to Hull has renewed doubts about the group's resolve.
Other managers have reacted very differently to bad results. Erik ten Hag took his Manchester United players on a 13.8km run the day after a 4-0 defeat at Brentford in 2022 to compensate for the distance they had covered less than their opponents. Amorim damaged a television during a dressing-room rant after United lost at home to Brighton in January last year.
Asked at the MKM Stadium whether his cool-headed approach might be seen negatively by supporters expecting a stronger reaction, Carrick said: "I know there's a lot goes on outside of our football club, yeah. I understand. I understand the responsibility I've got, but it doesn't make me do things differently just because of that.
"I'm talking to you quite calmly, but I'm not exactly calm inside and enjoying the day, you know? So there's a big difference. I played here for a long time. You don't get to play here for a long time without just going day by day, the results, the ups and downs, but you just carry on as normal. It's 100 per cent not that, trust me."
"It just doesn't mean that we all have to shout and scream and create some chaos just because of it. Inside we're hurting. The boys know, and we need to get better. But the calmness doesn't mean that there's no emotion in it, for sure."
"It's not a nice feeling at all. It doesn't mean it's going to change the direction of how we're going as a team or as a football club. It's one game and results can happen in football, we all understand that. It's not nice when they do, but it does happen. We can be better, and we will be better."
Midfield concerns
United could hardly have played much worse, but Carrick should have a stronger squad to choose from when Ipswich Town visit Old Trafford on Sunday for the club's first home game of the season. The two midfielders bought for a combined £85million this summer, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, were both worryingly ineffective at Hull.
Team news ahead of Ipswich
Carlos Baleba will not be available for that match once his £70million move from Brighton goes through, as he is dealing with an ankle injury. Kobbie Mainoo, however, should benefit from another appearance off the bench against Hull, and Mason Mount could be fit again having impressed in pre-season before being injured in a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain.
The minor nature of the injury Amad Diallo picked up in training late last week suggests he could return on the right flank, which would potentially allow Bryan Mbeumo to move back through the middle after Matheus Cunha struggled in that role on Saturday. Benjamin Sesko is another attacking option after making his first appearance of the summer off the bench, having been sidelined by a shin problem.
Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot could also return to the starting line-up after a further week of training following their late return from the World Cup. They would come in for Ayden Heaven, who struggled against Hull's Oli McBurnie, and Noussair Mazraoui.
Carrick has no shortage of options as he looks to get the balance right, both on the pitch and in how he manages the fallout from Saturday's defeat.
