Carrick Dismisses Claims of Favourable Start for United

Michael Carrick has dismissed suggestions Manchester United have been handed a gentle start to the new Premier League season, branding the idea “ridiculous” as his side prepare for an opening trip to Hull.

United, who finished third last season and rewarded Carrick with the job on a permanent basis, begin away to Championship play-off winners Hull on Saturday before hosting Ipswich at Old Trafford on 30 August, another newly promoted side.

The fixture list has led to talk that United should fly out of the blocks and extend the momentum of last year’s strong campaign. Carrick is having none of it.

“A newly promoted team away from home is a tough game,” he said, underlining the edge that often comes with clubs riding the high of promotion and a first crack at the top flight.

“I've been involved in them in the past so I'm fully aware of what's coming at us on Saturday and what we've got to be ready for.

“It's not favourable. It's an easy thing to throw out there but it's pretty ridiculous. I'm not taking it that way at all.”

United arrive with expectations heavy on their shoulders after last season’s third-place finish, but Carrick clearly wants no excuses, no complacency and no talk of soft landings – only a squad braced for the reality of promoted opposition desperate to make a statement.