De Gea backs Carrick after Hull stun ten-man United 2-0 on opening day

Manchester United began their Premier League campaign with a chastening 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, leaving manager Michael Carrick to reflect on a humbling opening day. Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy both struck in the first half to give Hull a commanding interval lead that United never threatened to overturn.

Carrick, appointed on a permanent basis at the end of last season after succeeding Ruben Amorim in an interim capacity in January, cut a frustrated figure after the final whistle. “You know, we came here to win as we do in any game,” he said. “So, to not take anything away is hugely disappointing. It’s not more than that. It’s not less than that. It’s just one game that we’re disappointed we haven’t won. So got to soak it up and come back stronger.”

The United manager acknowledged the defensive lapses that led to both goals but urged perspective. “We haven’t lost many games in six, seven months. So again, I get it, we’ve lost today, and I understand there are questions to be asked, but it doesn’t mean everything.”

Among those offering a note of encouragement was former United goalkeeper David De Gea, who took to X to post: “It’s not how it starts, it’s how it ends.” The message served as a reminder that a single result does not define a season, and underlined that the 35-year-old Spaniard continues to follow his former club closely.

De Gea spent 12 seasons at Old Trafford, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson and establishing himself as one of the world’s leading goalkeepers. He left United in July 2023, spent the entirety of the 2023/24 season as a free agent, and subsequently signed for Serie A side Fiorentina. He has previously described Ferguson as a “father figure” and spoken warmly about his time in Manchester.

For Carrick, the defeat represents an early test of his credentials as United’s permanent head coach. Hull, making their return to the top flight, proved far more clinical than the heavy pre-match odds suggested, and United will need to respond quickly as the Premier League schedule intensifies.