Carrick Dismisses Claims of Easy Start for Manchester United

Michael Carrick has dismissed claims that Manchester United have been gifted a soft launch to the new Premier League season, branding the idea “pretty ridiculous” as his first full campaign in permanent charge begins.

United start with a Saturday lunchtime trip to newly-promoted Hull City before hosting another top-flight newcomer, Ipswich Town, at Old Trafford next week. On paper, some see opportunity. Carrick sees a trap.

“First of all, for all of us now, this league, there's no favourable start, you know? I think it's a tough start,” he insisted. “A newly-promoted team, away from home, is a tough, tough game. I've been involved in them in the past.”

He made it clear he wants no one at United buying into the notion that August will be gentle.

“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 in a certain way and I'm not taking it that way at all.”

Sesko and Darlow back to bolster United

If the schedule offers no comfort, the squad list does. United are set to be boosted by the return of Benjamin Sesko and new goalkeeper Karl Darlow to the travelling party for Hull.

Neither played a minute in the club’s six pre-season friendlies, but both have trained fully this week and are available for selection.

Sesko, 23, has been out since early May after suffering a shin injury against Liverpool, a setback that wiped out his entire pre-season. Now he is finally back with the group and on the brink of competitive action.

“Ben is back training, so that is another positive,” Carrick said. “Looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes.”

Mount ‘touch and go’ but still central to Carrick’s plans

Not every fitness update is as clean. Mason Mount remains a doubt for the opener after a foot injury in the 1-1 pre-season draw with Paris Saint-Germain left him “touch and go.”

The midfielder’s time at Old Trafford has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries. He has managed just 72 appearances across three seasons, a stop-start stretch that has frustrated both player and club.

Carrick’s belief in him, though, is unwavering.

“First of all, Mason's a top player, top player,” he said, doubling down on his admiration. “We've seen that so far in the pre-season. He was one of our best players in the early stages in the games that he played and I thought he was fantastic. So not surprising, it's what I've seen before, what I expect, what I know of him.”

For Carrick, the key now is rhythm, not reputation.

“Of course, he's missed some football over recent years and he wants to be fit, he wants to be in that full rhythm and he wants to stay fit,” he added. “So we're doing our best to help him do that, but he's a top player, Mase. Mason will be back very, very soon, if not immediately, so it's all good.”

Rashford reborn and ready

One player arriving at the season’s start with a full tank is Marcus Rashford. After a successful loan spell at Barcelona, the forward has returned to Manchester United with a renewed edge and a point to prove.

Previously out of favour under former managers, the 28-year-old has impressed Carrick throughout pre-season and is now pushing to make his Premier League return for United at Hull.

“Marcus has come back fantastically well. He's enjoying his football, he looks fit, sharp, strong, and ready to play,” Carrick said, highlighting not just Rashford’s physical condition but his mindset.

The manager also underlined the tactical value of Rashford’s flexibility. While his best work has traditionally come from the left, Carrick is open to using him through the middle when needed, giving United another option at the top of the pitch.

It all adds up to a squad that looks deeper, fitter and hungrier than it has in some time. Easy start or not, Carrick has made one thing clear: United will be judged not by the fixture list, but by how they handle the fight that begins at Hull.