Michael Carrick’s stunning resolution as hopeless Man Utd humiliated by Hull

Manchester United’s Premier League campaign has got off to a 2-0 loss to Hull City – with Michael Carrick’s poor tactics backfiring for the Red Devils

Manchester United’s dreams of a season where they would challenge for the Premier League crown lasted all of 17 minutes.

Michael Carrick’s side were slapped with an early reality check as their campaign got off to the worst possible start on the banks of the RIver Humber. Hull City looked to be the only team with any sort of fight in the opening exchanges.

And by the time Semi Ajayi lashed the ball into an open net after a goalmouth scramble, the Red Devils were almost too shell-shocked to respond. Instead, they wilted as the home fans gleefully belted out “you’re getting mauled by the Tigers” before Hull landed a second hammer blow.

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Last season, Carrick’s side had only really looked at their best when playing teams willing to bring the game to them – often struggling badly against low blocks.

And despite having the summer to work on his tactics, it was once again a low block that proved too tough to break down for the Red Devils. The centre of the park was simply too congested – and Carrick had no answers.

Instead, for large periods, United resorted to launching hopeful balls into the box, with Hull happily soaking up the pressure and waiting for their chance to pounce.

Carrick, finally, looked to introduce Benjamin Sesko – but United stopped crossing the ball, leaving the Slovenian as almost anonymous after his introduction.

It was Hull that looked the most likely to score as Oli McBurnie made a mockery of United’s leggy midfield – who looked incapable of creating a chance.

It’s a new look middle of the park for the Red Devils, following the exit of Casemiro, but they can’t afford to be shipping too many points as they learn to play with each other.

There will be plenty of patience required as the new midfield beds in – but United’s title ambitions will not wait forever and they looked well off the pace on Saturday lunchtime.

United fans would have expected so much more – not just in terms of the result but also the performance. This didn’t look like the team Carrick presided over last season, it was more of what they turned out under Ruben Amorim.

It’s another newly promoted team for United next week, as they welcome Ipswich Town to Old Trafford, in a game they already can’t afford to lose.