Man Utd 'didn't look ready' - but hurting Carrick remains calm

Manchester United's fans faced a challenging day when Hull City's stadium announcer announced that two trains to Manchester from the city centre station had been cancelled. The home crowd celebrated their side's two first-half goals, which secured a first-ever top-flight win over United. The fans sang, "You should have come in a taxi," as they waited for a train to return over the Pennines. The visitors, numbering 2,400, had chosen that mode of transport, which would struggle to find redeeming features while waiting.

Wayne Rooney lamented, "When you play a promoted team, it's always difficult. First game of the season away from home, United just didn't seem ready for it." Alan Shearer, a former Newcastle striker, believed the team lacked fitness and was not ready for 90 minutes of intense, high-pressure football. However, Carrick highlighted that the team had undergone pre-season training, and no one doubted the squad's fitness.

Carrick conceded that United struggled defensively, conceding too much time and space to opponents who played with wing-backs. Bruno Fernandes agreed, stating that United needed to press more aggressively and work on set-pieces. Hull's manager, Sergej Jakirovic, identified set-pieces as an area to attack. Carrick remained composed, emphasizing that the defeat was just one game and that the team would bounce back stronger.