Carrick Dismisses ‘Easy Start’ Talk Ahead of Hull Opener

Michael Carrick is having none of it.

Suggestions that Manchester United have been gifted a gentle introduction to the new Premier League season have been dismissed by the manager as “ridiculous” ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime trip to newly-promoted Hull City.

United follow that with a home clash against another top-flight newcomer, Ipswich Town, but Carrick bristled at the idea that the fixture list has been kind.

“First of all, for all of us now, this league, there's no favourable start, you know? I think it's a tough start,” he said. “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 campaign as permanent boss at Old Trafford. The tone is already set: no excuses, no complacency, no talk of soft landings.

Sesko and Darlow back in the frame

The trip to Hull should at least come with a significant boost.

Benjamin Sesko and new goalkeeper Karl Darlow are expected to be included in the travelling squad after both returned to full training this week. Neither played a single minute in United’s six pre-season friendlies, but their timing could prove important as the competitive action begins.

Sesko, 23, has been out since early May with a shin injury picked up against Liverpool, a setback that wiped out his entire pre-season. Carrick, though, sounded encouraged by what he has seen on the training pitch.

“Ben is back training, so that is another positive, and looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes,” he said.

For a United side still trying to sharpen their cutting edge, the prospect of reintroducing a powerful, mobile striker so early in the campaign is no small lift.

Mount ‘touch and go’ but backed to come good

Not all the medical updates were as straightforward.

Mason Mount is “touch and go” for the opener after suffering a foot injury in the 1-1 pre-season draw with Paris Saint-Germain. It is the latest in a line of fitness interruptions since his move to Old Trafford, where he has managed just 72 appearances across three seasons.

Carrick, though, is unwavering in his belief in the England midfielder.

“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.”

The key now is continuity. Mount needs rhythm, not rehab.

“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,” Carrick 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.”

United’s season may hinge on whether that optimism finally aligns with reality.

Rashford reborn after Barcelona loan

If Mount’s story is one of stop-start frustration, Marcus Rashford’s is beginning to sound like a revival.

Carrick revealed his delight with the forward’s form and attitude since returning from a successful loan spell at Barcelona. Once out of favour under previous managers, Rashford has rejoined the squad for pre-season and forced his way back into the Premier League conversation.

He is now in contention to feature against Hull, a potential Premier League return that would have felt distant not long ago.

“Marcus has come back fantastically well. He's enjoying his football, he looks fit, sharp, strong, and ready to play,” Carrick said, underlining both the physical and mental shift in the 28-year-old.

Rashford’s primary home remains out wide, but Carrick also values the tactical flexibility he offers.

While leading the line is not his natural role, his ability to operate through the middle gives United another option as they juggle Sesko’s return, Mount’s fitness and the demands of a long season.

Hull away, Ipswich at home. On paper, some might still call it kind. Carrick clearly doesn’t care how it looks on paper — the real judgment starts when the whistle blows on Saturday.