Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has hit back at suggestions that his side have been given a favourable start to the Premier League season, calling such comments “ridiculous.”
Carrick will begin his first full season in charge with Saturday’s trip to Championship playoff winners Hull City before hosting Ipswich Town, who finished runners-up in last season’s second tier. But Carrick insisted that the two newly promoted teams will present a stern challenge.
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“I think, first of all, for all of us who know this league, there’s no favourable start,” Carrick told a news conference Thursday. “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 I’m 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 and we’re certainly not taking it that way at all.”
The former United midfielder, captain and coach earned the permanent head coach’s role by leading the side to a third-placed finish last term to earn a return to the Champions League.
United bolstered their squad this summer with the signings of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow, but no first-team arrivals have followed that mid-July flurry.
ESPN reported on Wednesday that United are in talks with Brighton over the signing of midfielder Carlos Baleba, but there are still gaps, such as another left back, that need to be filled.
Carrick, though, expressed confidence that his squad will be in a stronger position by the end of this summer’s transfer window
“I just think we’re looking to strengthen the squad,” Carrick said when particular areas were put to him. “We’re certainly working towards that and making the most of the situation that we have, and trying to improve things and trying to move forward.
“Certainly trying to make most of the opportunities to finish the window stronger than we went into it, and I think we’re in a good way to doing that so far.”
Summer signings Tielemans and Santos could make their competitive United debuts on Saturday at the MKM Stadium, where former Hull goalkeeper Darlow looks set to be involved following a medical procedure at the end of last season.
The Wales international trained this week along with Benjamin Sesko and Matthijs de Ligt, who have been dealing with long-term shin and back injuries, respectively.
Mason Mount did not take part in Tuesday’s session but could be involved at Hull after missing United’s final two friendlies.
“Matta’s obviously been out for a long period of time, but he’s training and great to have him back,” Carrick said.
“He won’t be involved but he’s in good shape and moving in a good direction, so that’s a good bonus for us, really, at this stage to have him back.
“Ben’s back training, so that’s again another positive. Looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes as well.
“Then managing Mason a little bit, but he’s very close so it’s touch and go for the weekend, really, if not going into next week.”
PA contributed to this report.
