Michael Carrick has hit back at criticism of his Manchester United players following the opening day defeat to Hull City by insisting it is “ridiculous” to claim they lacked passion.
United were beaten 2-0 at MKM Stadium on Saturday as their Premier League campaign got off to the worst possible start.
Afterwards, Carrick was asked whether a “lack of passion” was responsible for a poor first half performance which saw newly-promoted Hull score twice from set-pieces.
“Oh come on, that’s ridiculous,” the United head coach said.
“That’s a ridiculous thing to say. Just because you get beaten doesn’t mean you don’t care about it.”
Pushed on whether Hull’s players had shown more “passion” and “intensity”, Carrick said: “No.
“Their two goals came from set plays. Other than that we had opportunities. I don’t think it was passion or anything to do with that. I just think it was those moments that made a difference in the game.”
Luke Shaw added to Viaplay: “I think we had the exact same hope (as the fans),” the left-back told Viaplay.
“We have the exact same feeling, even now after the game. It will be a very good season from us, I’m sure of it. We’ll be up there.
“Of course, this is a little blip. It’s not obviously nice to happen at the start of the season when our expectations are high and we should be starting the season strong, showing everyone we’re here this season.
“Not meant to be. But one game won’t define us. We’ll regroup, we’ll go again and, like I said, I promise it’ll be a good season from us.”
Another promoted side, Ipswich, lie in wait at Old Trafford next Sunday, when Carrick’s side will have to be far better than in their meek MKM Stadium defeat.
Set-pieces certainly need work in the build-up, with Wayne Rooney, the club’s all-time top scorer, slamming Shaw for what he called “schoolboy” defending for Hull’s second goal.
“I think we have to do, as a whole team, much better,” the England defender said before Rooney made those comments.
“I think even leading up the game, we need to prepare better on what their strengths are and of course that’s set-plays.
“But of course it’s disappointing. Manchester United should be coming to Hull and winning the game, and we haven’t done that.
“But no excuses at all. Congratulations to them and we go back, refocus, got another big game next week at Old Trafford.”
Put to Shaw that United would have known Hull would come with intensity from the outset and a focus on set-pieces, he said: “We knew what we were coming into.
“A newly-promoted side, first game back in the Premier League. There’s going to be a lot of passion, hunger. The atmosphere is going to be extremely good.
“Before the game in the changing room, we felt ready, we were positive.
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“We felt like we were in a really good place and then, of course, it’s a smack in the face, really. Two goals to set-plays. It destroys the momentum but at half-time I felt like we could come back and win this game.
“We believed but I think we were lacking that little bit in the final third as well with finishing opportunities.
“But of course, no way is there any excuses. But it’s better to happen now, right at the start of the season, so we can refocus, refresh, and go again next week.”
Press Association contributed to this report.
