Carrick Slams Claims of Soft Start for Manchester United

Michael Carrick is having none of it. Easy start? Favourable fixtures? He dismissed the idea in a heartbeat.

The Manchester United manager branded talk of a gentle opening to the Premier League season as “pretty ridiculous” as his side prepare to kick off away at newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday lunchtime, before hosting another top-flight newcomer, Ipswich Town, a week later.

For Carrick, this is no soft landing.

“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 insisted. “I think a newly-promoted team, away from home, is a tough, tough game. I've been involved in them in the past.”

He made it clear United will not stroll into the KC Stadium expecting a formality.

“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 season as permanent boss at Old Trafford. The tone is already set: no excuses, no shortcuts.

Sesko and Darlow back in the frame

United’s squad, at least, is starting to look stronger.

Benjamin Sesko and new goalkeeper Karl Darlow are both expected to travel after returning to full training this week. Neither featured in any of the club’s six pre-season friendlies, but both are now available for selection.

Sesko, 23, has not played since early May, when a shin injury against Liverpool ruled him out of the entire pre-season programme. His comeback offers Carrick a timely boost in attack.

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

Mount ‘touch and go’ but backed to shine

Not all the news is 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 another frustrating bump in the road for a midfielder whose time at Old Trafford has been disrupted by fitness problems, limiting him to just 72 appearances across three seasons.

Carrick, though, is unwavering in his belief.

“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.”

For Carrick, the issue is not Mount’s talent. It is rhythm. Consistent minutes. A clear run.

“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,” he 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.”

Rashford reborn after Barcelona loan

If Mount is chasing continuity, Marcus Rashford is trying to ride a wave.

Back from a successful loan spell at Barcelona and previously out of favour under former managers, the 28-year-old has impressed Carrick since rejoining United for pre-season. Now he is in the frame to make his Premier League return for the club at Hull.

“Marcus has come back fantastically well. He's enjoying his football, he looks fit, sharp, strong, and ready to play,” Carrick said, pleased with both the forward’s form and attitude.

Rashford’s main work has long come from the flanks, but Carrick likes the options his versatility gives him.

While playing through the middle might not be Rashford's primary role, his ability to operate centrally offers United another tactical lever for the months ahead.

Hull away, Ipswich at home, new faces returning, old favourites reborn: on paper it might look gentle. Carrick is treating it like anything but.