Michael Carrick rejects ‘ridiculous’ talk of easy start to Manchester United season

Michael Carrick has dismissed as “ridiculous” suggestions that Manchester United’s opening two games against Hull and Ipswich represent a favourable start to the season.

United travel to Hull for Saturday’s opening match of the season before hosting Ipswich a week on Sunday, with both sides having been promoted from the Championship. Yet Carrick is adamant neither game will prove easy. “First of all, for all of us to know this league, there’s no favourable start, I think it’s a tough start,” said Carrick. “A newly promoted team away from home is a tough game.

“I’ve been involved in them in the past so I’m fully aware of 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, [we are] not taking it that way at all.”

Carrick guided United to third last season after taking interim charge in January. He became permanent manager four months later on the back of his success in the role and was asked if leading United to the title this season is a realistic ambition. “It is going to be a jump,” said the 45-year-old. “I would never say we can’t – I don’t believe that. But it’s about what we are capable of doing as a group.

“The run of form we had last season gives us a lot of confidence but we know there is a whole new step to make. We are pushing to do that. It’s exciting. We have the potential to achieve things and we will definitely give it everything we can and we have to believe we are a good team and can do good things.”

United are hopeful of signing the midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton for less than £75m and remain in the market for a left-back. “We are looking to strengthen the squad, working towards that, and making the most of the situation that we have,” Carrick said. “We are trying to make the most of the opportunities to finish the window stronger than we went into it and are in a good way to doing that so far.”

Mason Mount’s availability for the trip to Hull is in the balance due to a knock.