RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesManchester United head coach Michael Carrick made two wider observations around his side's shock opening day Premier League defeat at newly promoted Hull during his post-match news conference.
"We've done a lot of good things today, but I understand it will get lost, but it doesn't get lost from our point of view," he said.
A couple of questions later, he offered this: "Just because we lost the game today, we don't have to dissect the whole picture."
The general consensus from those who should know about these things was that United lacked intensity; even Carrick's close friend Wayne Rooney said so on Match of the Day.
"For Manchester United to build on what they did last season they need to become a team other teams are scared of," he said.
"There needs to be more energy in the press. They were too passive."
It was not a view Carrick agreed with.
"Just because you get beat, it doesn't mean you are passive," he said.
"It's one game. Results can happen in football. We all understand that. It's not nice when they do, but it does happen."
It is what you expect from Carrick, the epitome of calm, even if, by his own admission, the relaxed persona he presented in public in the aftermath of the 2-0 defeat was at odds with what he felt inside.
Carrick has been associated with United, as a player, coach, head coach and fan, for 20 years.
He was part of the side that lost in similarly meek fashion to Burnley in August 2009, when Turf Moor was hosting its first top-flight game in 33 years.
Three months earlier, seven of the starting line-up faced Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley.
United's undoubted class and Sir Alex Ferguson's legendary status as manager did not stop an external inquest then, so Carrick knows it will happen now.
As United defender Luke Shaw put it to Australian Premier League broadcaster Stan Sports: "No disrespect to them, but we should be coming to Hull and winning the game."
Were United players unfit?
Former England striker and Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer felt it was a fitness issue, even though six of the side that started were there right at the start of pre-season training on 9 July.
"United were dreadful in all positions, particularly up front. They offered nothing," he said.
"There was only one team going to win. It's a worrying thing. You know what you are going to get going up against a promoted team. You need to match them."
Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic altered his tactics for the game, having watched a couple of United's pre-season matches, including the 4-2 defeat by AC Milan, engineered by former boss Ruben Amorim, when he repeatedly switched play to his wing-backs, which United's defence failed to cover.
That was key, as it created the space to put balls into the box for combative Hull striker Oli McBurnie to feed off.
McBurnie did not score, but 19-year-old United defender Ayden Heaven in particular found it difficult to cope.
Semi Ajayi opened the scoring by driving home the rebound after Senne Lammens had pushed a powerful close-range McBurnie effort on to a post.
New signing Nobel Mendy added the second when Nobel Mendy got his head to Regan Slater's free-kick despite the close attentions of Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui.
"We knew Hull's strengths," said Shaw.
"At times we defended well, but the goals and set-plays weren't good enough and it cost us.
"We knew it was coming. As a group we could probably prepare better, especially knowing how good they are at set-plays and what their dangers are."
Sources close to Shaw are adamant that the criticism was focused on what was happening on the pitch, rather than what United had done in the build-up.
Yet that will be analysed now, as will Youri Tielemans' comments to Rio Ferdinand in an interview less than two weeks ago when he said that, as players began to return from World Cup duty, pre-season training had been focused on ball work rather than running.
It is the kind of knee-jerk dissection Carrick wants to avoid.
Nevertheless, he needs to avoid a repeat against Ipswich at Old Trafford on 30 August.
Baleba boost?
Medical permitting, Carlos Baleba is expected to be confirmed as a United player at some point from Monday onwards, but his minor ankle injury is expected to prevent him featuring against Ipswich.
There might be changes, though. Lisandro Martinez for Heaven would be an obvious one. Marcus Rashford for Patrick Dorgu, who was replaced at half-time at Hull, could be another.
"It was nothing personal," said Carrick. "Pat's a fantastic player. We love him to bits. But sometimes you have to make decisions."
Kobbie Mainoo could also come into contention, while United officials are still to confirm the extent of the injury that ruled Amad Diallo out of the game.
"It was two set-plays," said Carrick.
"It's disappointing. We are hurting. But we can be better and we will be better."
Man Utd 'didn't look ready' - but hurting Carrick remains calm
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