Carrick Slams 'Ridiculous' Passion Claims After Man United 2-0 Loss to Hull City

Manchester United suffered a 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium after conceding twice from set-pieces.

Manchester United’s 2026-27 Premier League campaign began with a 2-0 defeat against Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday. The newly-promoted hosts secured the victory by scoring twice from set-plays, capitalising on a first-half performance that left United trailing by two goals at the interval. While the visitors created opportunities outside of dead-ball situations, they failed to convert chances in the final third, resulting in a scoreless outing for Michael Carrick’s side.

Following the result, head coach Michael Carrick dismissed suggestions that his squad lacked passion during the opening day fixture. Addressing the criticism, Carrick labeled the claims "ridiculous," stating that a defeat does not equate to a lack of care from the players. He rejected the notion that Hull City displayed superior intensity, instead attributing the outcome to specific moments involving set-pieces rather than a deficiency in effort or desire.

Defensive Lapses and Rooney's Critique

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer, singled out Luke Shaw for his role in the defeat. Rooney described Shaw’s involvement in the second Hull goal as "schoolboy" defending. Before these comments were made public, Shaw acknowledged that the team needed to prepare more effectively for the specific strengths of their opponents, identifying set-plays as a known threat that was not adequately neutralized.

Shaw admitted that the result was a "smack in the face" given the positive atmosphere in the dressing room prior to kickoff. The left-back noted that conceding twice from set-pieces destroyed the team's momentum, despite a collective belief at halftime that a comeback was possible. He emphasized that there were no excuses for the performance, noting that Manchester United is expected to win matches when traveling to venues like the MKM Stadium.

Captain's Perspective on Recurring Errors

Club captain Bruno Fernandes pointed to a pattern of behavior following the loss, stating that "same mistakes, every away game" were responsible for the result against the Tigers. This sentiment mirrored the frustration regarding the team's inability to defend dead-ball deliveries. Despite the setback, Shaw maintained that the defeat was a "blip" and promised that the squad would regroup to ensure a successful season, asserting that one match would not define their entire campaign.

Preparation for Old Trafford Return

Manchester United now turns their attention to another newly-promoted opponent, Ipswich Town, who are scheduled to visit Old Trafford next Sunday. The coaching staff faces the task of addressing defensive vulnerabilities, as the source material indicates set-pieces will require significant work during the upcoming training sessions. The team entered the Hull fixture with high expectations of a strong start, but now must refocus to avoid consecutive losses against top-flight newcomers.

Luke Shaw told Viaplay that the players share the same disappointment as the supporters but remains confident that the club will be "up there" in the standings by the end of the year. The England defender stressed the importance of refreshing and refocusing immediately to prepare for the first home game of the season. The loss at Hull City serves as a catalyst for tactical adjustments as Carrick seeks to prove the team's hunger and quality in the weeks ahead.