‘No easy start’: Michael Carrick pushes back on claims of a favourable Manchester United fixture

Michael Carrick has dismissed suggestions that Manchester United have been handed a soft start to the Premier League season. He called the claim ‘ridiculous’.

United open their campaign with a Saturday lunchtime trip to newly-promoted Hull City. Ipswich Town, another top-flight newcomer, visit Old Trafford the following week.

Carrick is in his first full season in permanent charge at Old Trafford. He is not buying the idea that those fixtures make for a gentle introduction.

Speaking ahead of the Hull game, Carrick said:

‘First of all, for all of us now, this league, there’s no favourable start, you know? 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.’

He knows the danger first-hand. Newly-promoted sides away from home have caught teams out before.

There is positive news on the injury front, though. Benjamin Sesko and new goalkeeper Karl Darlow have both returned to full training and are available for selection.

Neither featured in United’s six pre-season friendlies. Sesko has been out since early May with a shin injury suffered against Liverpool.

‘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.

Mason Mount is more of a doubt. He is ‘touch and go’ after picking up a foot injury in the 1-1 pre-season draw with Paris Saint-Germain.

Mount has managed just 72 appearances across three seasons at Old Trafford. Carrick still believes in him.

‘First of all, Mason’s a top player, top player. 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.’

Marcus Rashford is also back in the fold. The forward returned from a loan spell at Barcelona and is in contention to face Hull on Saturday.

‘Marcus has come back fantastically well. He’s enjoying his football, he looks fit, sharp, strong, and ready to play,’ Carrick said.

His ability to play through the middle gives United flexibility across the front line.

Saturday will show whether that optimism is justified. Hull away is exactly the kind of game Carrick says his side must be ready for.

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