EPL: Carrick Rejects ‘Easy Start’ Claims Over Man United’s Opening Fixtures

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has dismissed suggestions that his side have been handed an easy start to the new Premier League season, describing the assessment as “pretty ridiculous.”

United will begin their campaign away to Championship play-off winners Hull on Saturday before hosting newly promoted Ipswich at Old Trafford on August 30.

The opening fixtures have prompted suggestions that Manchester United could enjoy a strong start to the campaign, particularly after their impressive finish last season.

United ended the previous campaign in third place, a run that contributed to Carrick earning a permanent appointment as head coach. However, the former England international believes the club’s opening schedule presents significant challenges.

Carrick warned that newly promoted teams can be particularly difficult to face, especially when playing away from home.

“A newly promoted team away from home is a tough game,” Carrick said, according to BBC Sport.

“I’ve been involved in them in the past, so I’m fully aware of what’s coming at us on Saturday and what we’ve got to be ready for.”

The United boss rejected the suggestion that the fixtures should be viewed as favourable.

“It’s not favourable. It’s an easy thing to throw out there but it’s pretty ridiculous. I’m not taking it that way at all,” he added.

Carrick is expecting Hull to provide a stern test when United travel to face them in their opening league fixture.

The newly promoted side will be determined to make a strong impression on their return to the Premier League and could present United with a difficult physical and tactical challenge.

United will then return to Old Trafford for their first home league match of the season against Ipswich.

Although Ipswich have also recently secured promotion, Carrick is wary of allowing the perceived quality of the opening fixtures to create complacency within his squad.

The Manchester United manager is instead focused on ensuring his players approach both matches with the right mentality and intensity.

United will hope to build on last season’s third-place finish and maintain the momentum that ultimately convinced the club’s hierarchy to hand Carrick the permanent role.

However, Carrick insists his players must earn every point, beginning with a difficult trip to Hull.