Published: 15:57 BST, 22 August 2026 | Updated: 16:24 BST, 22 August 2026
Michael Carrick is refusing to hit the panic button after his Manchester United side were bullied en route to a 2-0 defeat by Hull City.
The newly-promoted side, who ran out eight of those who started the play-off final at Wembley, have been widely tipped to be relegated straight back to the Championship.
But Sergej Jakirovic's side blew a passive Manchester United side away and goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy were enough to secure a deserved three points for the Premier League newcomers.
Asked afterwards if Hull City had found a flaw in his system, with both goals emanating from set-pieces, Carrick was firm in his response.
'We haven't lost many games in six, seven months,' the United boss said.
'So again, I get it, we've lost today and I understand there's questions to be asked, but it doesn't mean everything's wrong because we've lost a game.
Michael Carrick is refusing to hit the panic button after his Manchester United side were bullied by newly-promoted Hull
Sergej Jakirovic's side blew a passive Manchester United side away with two first half goals
Should Manchester United overhaul their approach after being outplayed by a newly promoted team?
'We've done a lot of good things and we did some good things today, but it gets lost, and I understand it'll get lost, but it doesn't get lost from our point of view.
'There's definitely issues playing against different systems, so we have got to find the answers for that. But just because we lose one game it doesn't mean that everything needs to be dissected and it's wrong from our point of view.'
Carrick is rarely ruffled win, lose, or draw, but behind his calm demeanour here was a coach hurting at seeing his side totally outplayed.
'I'm talking to you quite calm, but I'm not exactly calm inside and enjoying the day, you know?
'So there's a big difference. I played here for a long time. You don't get to play here for a long time without just going day by day, the results, the ups and downs, but you just carry on as normal. It's 100% not that; trust me, it's not that.