Carrick rejects talk of an easy start for Man Utd: 'Pretty ridiculous'

Michael Carrick has dismissed the idea that Manchester United have been handed an easy start to the season, calling the suggestion "pretty ridiculous".

United open away at Hull City, the Championship playoff winners, before hosting Ipswich Town, the second-tier runners-up.

"A newly-promoted team away from home"

Per ESPN, Carrick said: "I think it's pretty ridiculous and we're certainly not taking it that way at all." He added that "a newly-promoted team away from home is a tough, tough game."

"We want more, we need more"

Sky Sports quotes Carrick on the transfer window: "We want more, we need more." He also said: "We're delighted with the players we've brought in."

Sky Sports reports United have signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for a combined £85m, plus goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer from Leeds. ESPN says those deals were completed in mid-July.

Still outstanding: ESPN reports talks with Brighton over midfielder Carlos Baleba, and a need for another left back. Sky Sports names Newcastle's Lewis Hall — Newcastle having declined to sell earlier — and Fulham's Antonee Robinson as options. The window closes on 1 September. Sky adds that Marcus Rashford has returned from his Barcelona loan.

Team news

Per ESPN: Tielemans and Santos could debut on Saturday; Matthijs de Ligt is training after a back injury but is unavailable this weekend; Benjamin Sesko is returning from a shin injury; Mason Mount is uncertain for Hull but close to available.

For readers in Vietnam

Hull City host Manchester United at 18:30 Saturday 22 August Vietnam time.

Sources: ESPN, Sky Sports (20 August 2026).