Man Utd's Tough Fixtures

Manchester United’s opening two Premier League fixtures look kind on paper. Hull City away comes first on Saturday, followed by another newly promoted side, Ipswich Town.

For Manchester United, that should mean a chance to get off to a flying start. But Michael Carrick isn’t buying into the idea that his team have been handed an easy opening.

The pressure will be on Manchester United from the first whistle. Hull are coming into the Premier League with little to lose, while United are expected to take three points.

Michael Carrick knows that makes the game dangerous.

The match can be followed on the Dave Premier League 2026/27 season updates.

Carrick rejects idea of easy United start

The United manager has seen enough football to know what can happen when a newly promoted side gets a big team at home.

“Well, I think first of all, for all of us who know this league, there’s no favourable start. I think it’s a tough start, both teams,” Michael Carrick said.

Michael Carrick went on to make the point that Saturday’s away fixture matters.

“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 I’m fully aware of what’s at stake, what’s coming at us on Saturday, what we’ve got to be ready for.”

That is the key difference between the two teams.

Hull can play without much fear. United can’t.

If Hull win, it will be seen as a huge result for the hosts. If Manchester United lose, the reaction will be much harsher. Even a draw would leave questions being asked about whether Carrick’s side have really moved forward from last season.

Carrick has no intention of letting his players think this is some sort of free hit.

“So, it’s not favourable. It’s an easy thing to throw out there, but it’s pretty ridiculous and we’re certainly not taking it that way at all.”

Manchester United have plenty to gain from fast start

There is still a big opportunity here for United.

Two games against newly promoted teams could give Carrick’s side six points and some early confidence. That would be a useful start after United finished third last season and earned their return to the Champions League.

Michael Carrick believes the form from the second half of last season has given the squad belief, but he also knows the players have to prove they can take that into a new campaign.

“I think the run of form that we had last season gives us a lot of confidence, but then we know there’s a whole new step to make as a group.”

Hull won’t simply sit back and make life easy. Carrick expects the hosts to have the lift that comes with promotion, along with plenty of new faces and a different atmosphere around the club.

“There’s that freshness, there’s that buzz around the football club of coming into the Premier League and what that brings.”

That is something United have to deal with straight away.

“We know what the game’s going to bring and how good we need to be to get the right result.”

Carrick is encouraged by United’s work during pre-season and says the squad are ready for the season to begin.

“I’m really encouraged with the work we’ve done pre-season, on the training ground, mostly in the games, I think it’s been really good.”

Now it needs to count.

Hull City and Ipswich may look like the sort of fixtures United should be winning. That is exactly why they can be tricky. The opportunity is there for a six-point start, but United will carry almost all of the expectation into both games.