MICHAEL CARRICK has branded it “ridiculous” to suggest that Manchester United have an “easy” start to the new Premier League season.
United play at newly-promoted Hull at Saturday lunchtime and host fellow promoted side Ipswich next week.
Carrick starts his first full season as United coach this week Credit: EPA
Carrick arriving at Carrington on Thursday morning Credit: Eamonn & James Clarke
Hull got promoted via the Championship Play-offs and are back in the top flight for the first time since 2017 while Ipswich finished second to Coventry.
Hull have spent £83.5million in the transfer window while Ipswich have broken the £100m barrier but both are favourites to be relegated.
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Carrick had a penalty saved in Burnley’s first ever Premier League game at Turf Moor in 2009 when they shocked United with a 1-0 victory.
Sir Alex Ferguson was so incensed he dropped Carrick from the squad for the following game against Wigan and the memory of that was possibly on Carrick’s mind.
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Carrick said: “First of all, for all of us now, this league, there’s no favourable start, you know?”
“I think it’s a tough start. Both teams, but not getting past Saturday.“I think a newly-promoted team, away from home, is a tough, tough game. I’ve been involved in them in the past.
“So 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.”
United are expected to have Benjamin Sesko and new signing Karl Darlow in their squad at the MKM Stadium.
The pair did not appear in any of United’s six pre-season games but have resumed full training this week.
Matthijs de Ligt is not ready for inclusion after his return from a back injury that has kept him sidelined since November 30.
Mason Mount is “touch and go” to be added to the squad after he came off with a foot injury in the first half of the 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain on August 8.
Mount’s injury record has restricted him to 72 appearances in three seasons at United but he retains Carrick’s backing.
Carrick added: “First of all, Mason’s a top player, top player. 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.
Baleba is set to become Carrick’s next signing Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Mount sat out United’s last two friendlies Credit: Manchester United via Getty Imag
“So not surprising, it’s what I’ve seen before, what I expect, what I know of him.
“And he’s picked up a little bit of a knock, there are no dramas. Maybe it had been a week or so or ten days (12 days) or whatever it’s been. So it’s nothing major.
“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.
“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.”
