Michael Carrick has dismissed claims that Manchester United’s opening-day loss at Hull proved the entire team was in disarray, describing that conclusion as “easy and lazy”.
United produced a lacklustre performance in the 2-0 defeat. Carrick was subsequently asked whether captain Bruno Fernandes and Belgium skipper Youri Tielemans had provided enough leadership to influence the display and outcome.
“It was only one match,” Carrick said. “There are plenty of leaders in our dressing room, and they will show that over the course of the season. Losing a game does not automatically mean leadership was the problem. People also mentioned passion afterwards, but it is not as simple as that. Conceding twice from set pieces changed the match.”
Asked to explain the performance, Carrick said football matches can be won or lost for many different reasons and cannot simply be reduced to whether players made an effort. He added that the team understood which areas needed improvement, even if he was unwilling to reveal every detail publicly.
When pressed to identify a specific cause, the 45-year-old argued that it was too simplistic to assume a defeat meant everything was wrong or that the players lacked effort and desire. He stressed that numerous factors can determine the outcome of a football match.
Carrick added that United may have delivered similar performances in previous games but found a way to secure a 1-0 victory, prompting praise for the team, coaching staff and players. He said proper analysis required looking beyond the immediate reaction and examining the finer details. In the same way, the club does not become overly excited after winning when it knows the performance was not flawless.
United will welcome Ipswich on Sunday without Carlos Baleba. The midfielder completed a £70m move from Brighton on Tuesday but is dealing with an ankle injury that could keep him sidelined for at least three weeks. As a result, his debut may be delayed until Tottenham visit on 10 October, following the international break.
United have tracked the Cameroon international since last summer. Asked why the 22-year-old arrived so late in the transfer window, Carrick explained that deals are not always simple and that the right circumstances must first fall into place. He said the club remained patient while pursuing suitable additions and believes Baleba is a player who fits the squad and can help it progress.
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