Manchester United were denied late on at Everton on Sunday, halting their hopes of building an early season momentum, as Michael Carrick addresses their results and performances
Michael Carrick has attempted to rid of any negativity surrounding his team's start to the season
Michael Carrick has attempted to rid of any negativity surrounding his team's start to the season
View 3 Images
After seeing two points slip away at Everton Michael Carrick was keen to remind onlookers that Manchester United's start to the season is "not that bad".
It does mean, after just three games, that the Red Devils are already five points off the pace as neighbours Manchester City and champions Arsenal record nine points to begin the campaign.
United have recovered from the shock loss at Hull on the opening weekend, where Carrick saw his side out run and out fought by the newly promoted outfit. It quashed any momentum that had been built from last season and across the summer, where three new midfielders were signed.
The win over Ipswich at Old Trafford was expected, despite falling behind early on, and owed to some Bruno Fernandes brilliance. The outlook after three games may well have been different had Ainsley Maitland-Niles not scored a screamer from distance to rescue Everton a point, but that is football.
Get YOUR Mirror Football Newsletter
Get our comprehensive football coverage, with news, updates, opinions, analysis and everything that matters to you, straight to your inbox.
To get it, it's a quick and easy one-two:
The result leaves United sitting in 11th. Ultimately a second successive year in the Champions League spots would be seen as the target for this season.
So when Carrick says "It's not that bad, you know" - is he right? Well the attack certainly isn't that bad, but you'd expect as much given the money ploughed into it last summer. The midfielder isn't that bad but equally isn't great. Carlos Baleba isn't yet fit and Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos are still finding their feet.
The defence meanwhile is that bad. United concede two goals a game at the moment, which makes it especially difficult to pick up wins. But, then again, it is to be expected given the club haven't made a major backline signing in two years.
Add all that together and it leaves United with four points and plenty of question marks over what they're capable of. Four points from nine for a side with title aspirations would be bad, as would dropping the ball at a team who finished sixth in the Championship last season.
Man Utd were dealt a reality check at Hull, where their defensive issues were exposed
Man Utd were dealt a reality check at Hull, where their defensive issues were exposed
View 3 Images
But when you consider its been nine years since United won three from three to begin the season, that coming under Jose Mourinho, you begin to see what the modern day United have become.
In fact, in four of the last six seasons, the Red Devils have begun with four points or less. Starting fast has not been part of the MO at Old Trafford.
Are Man Utd just slow staters?
It must be said, even in the heydays of Sir Alex Ferguson, United weren't always quick out of the blocks, but could always be relied on to come good. Nowadays they cannot guarantee that and the bar has also been raised by their rivals.
Last season they had four points by this stage after losing to Arsenal before drawing at Fulham and beating Burnley, although that win only came about thanks to a Fernandes penalty in stoppage time. In 2024/25 United had just three points after losing successive games to Brighton, and then Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Previous Man Utd bosses, the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, endured slow starts to the season, which eventually cost him his job
Previous Man Utd bosses, the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, endured slow starts to the season, which eventually cost him his job(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Humbling defeats serving as reality checks is nothing new for those associated with United. When Erik ten Hag began his tenure in 2022 he started by losing to Brighton and getting hammered at Brentford a week later.
In 2020 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw United lose their opening at home to Crystal Palace before they backed that up with a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Tottenham, who found themselves with four goals by half-time, at Old Trafford.
Of all the United recovery missions the best they've mustered is second, that came in 2021 when they had three points from their opening three games. Conversely slow starts over the past decade have meant that Mourinho, Solskjaer and Ten Hag were all gone by Christmas.
Carrick is in zero danger and the expectations at Old Trafford are not what they were. Aspects of United's play certainly aren't that bad, others probably are that bad, so we'll have to see come May where that leaves them.
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Essential 26/27 Sky Sports Bundle
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Content Image