I attended Saturday's fixture and it became obvious early on that Manchester United were nowhere near competitive against Hull City. While critics will pounce on Michael Carrick's side this week—citing a lack of intensity, aggression and purpose—I left the stadium with the sense that the situation is a little more layered than a simple case of under‑performance. First and foremost, it was a poor showing. United failed to execute their game plan, and only Carrick knows the exact reasons behind the breakdown.
However, from the outset it was clear that several of his regular starters were not at the level of match‑sharpness they will enjoy in a few weeks' time. Six of the first‑team squad had completed a full pre‑season programme, but the midfield partnership of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos was still newly formed and lacking cohesion. On the bench, Carrick was forced to rely on players who were far from full fitness: Benjamin Šeško, who had not featured at all during the summer preparations, and the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, both of whom had seen limited minutes after returning from England duty. Hull, on the other hand, deserve massive credit.
This was their first Premier League appearance in nine years, yet they arrived well‑drilled, having enjoyed a complete pre‑season schedule that allowed them to hit the ground running. Their organization and fitness levels were evident, and they exploited United's rustiness with a disciplined, high‑pressing approach.
A myth that has been circulating on social media deserves to be addressed: "Four of Carrick's five defeats have come against teams playing with a back five." This claim simply does not hold up when you examine the data. Two of those losses occurred in pre‑season fixtures—against Wrexham and against Ruben Amorim's AC Milan—games that cannot be used as reliable indicators of United's ability to handle a five‑man defence in the Premier League. The other defeats, such as the loss to Hull and the poor performance against Leeds at Old Trafford last season, share a common thread: a noticeable lack of physicality and stamina. Those are the issues that Carrick will need to rectify urgently.
Given these circumstances, I am prepared to grant Carrick a degree of leniency for the Hull result. I would be genuinely surprised if United do not show a marked improvement when they host Ipswich Town on Sunday. The midfield was identified as a priority heading into the season, and the club has already invested over £150 million in new talent, the most recent being Carlos Baleba. Yet, as often happens when a squad is bolstered in one area, another weakness becomes more apparent.
In the summer of 2025 United tackled their attacking deficiencies by signing Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, only to discover that the midfield still required reinforcement. The club chose to wait a full year rather than rush in a stop‑gap midfielder, hoping for a better market in the subsequent window.
A similar dilemma now exists at left‑back. After securing three midfield signings, United's next logical target is a quality left‑back, especially with Luke Shaw's contract set to expire next summer. The Red Devils have long admired the talents of Myles Lewis‑Skelly and Lewis Hall, but both clubs have publicly denied any intention to sell.
Injuries, such as the one to Bruno Guimarães, further complicate any potential departures, effectively removing Lewis‑Skelly from the shortlist for the moment. At present, United appear content to postpone a major defensive overhaul until the following summer. While a late‑window surprise cannot be ruled out, the odds are slim. Barcelona's Alejandro Balde has been linked with a move, yet United have signalled that he is not a priority at this stage.
Consequently, the burden will fall heavily on Shaw to remain fit throughout the campaign, with Patrick Dorgu positioned as a long‑term successor. Both Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot are capable of covering the role in the short term, providing the necessary depth. Regarding departures, the transfer deadline approaches with little indication that any first‑team regulars will leave.
Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee was rumored to be on the move, but interest from Italian clubs has yet to materialise into a concrete offer, suggesting he will stay put. In summary, the Hull defeat should be viewed as a symptom of broader fitness and integration challenges rather than a definitive verdict on Carrick's managerial abilities.
The squad is still finding its rhythm, key players are returning to peak condition, and the tactical framework is being refined. With a relatively modest opponent like Ipswich on the horizon, United have a realistic opportunity to demonstrate progress, rebuild confidence and lay the groundwork for a more consistent season ahead.