Same old Man Utd! Fuming Bruno Fernandes aims dig at team-mates after shock Hull City defeat

United’s new Premier League season got off to the worst possible start as they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Hull City. Despite dominating possession, Carrick's side failed to break down a resilient Tigers defence, while new signings Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos struggled to make an impact on their competitive debuts for the club.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle, the midfielder did not hold back in his assessment of the team’s lack of intensity. "Same mistakes as we did last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to them," he said. "In the first 20 minutes, the goalkeeper was the one with the most touches.

"We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals. Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment."

Hull City’s victory was built on their clinical nature from dead-ball situations, scoring twice from set-pieces in the first half. Fernandes admitted that United were well aware of the threat posed by the hosts but failed to execute their defensive plan when it mattered most.

"We knew before the game set-pieces would be a big part of their game," Fernandes continued. "They played all pre-season with a back four but had a five against us for some height, for these moments. The most frustrating thing is that we lost the game."

He added: "We knew [how motivated they would be]. If someone didn't know, it's very surprising. We know in the Premier League these type of grounds are very difficult to play in. You need to match everything in intensity, aggression and everything. We had that apart from two set pieces. That cost us the game.

"I understand the frustration. Every season that starts, we want to compete and go as forward as we can, winning every game. We need them on our side, like last season, believing in us. We know we need more from ourselves too."

The defeat marked a sobering first game for Carrick as United's permanent manager, especially after the optimism generated by their third-place finish last term. Despite the disappointing result, Carrick urged his players and the supporters to remain focused on the long-term project.

"Some of it was okay, there's bits to improve on. It was never going to be perfect, but going behind and giving ourselves a lot to do makes it more difficult," Carrick explained. "It was a typical one of those games, with a newly-promoted team at home. You can't give them much, they've got a lot to hold on to.

"After that, we had moments and opportunities but we didn't have the spark to put the chances away or create any more.

"We're bitterly disappointed with the result, but we won't let it knock us. I'm not going into areas [to improve] now, it's for us to know and we'll improve through the week and in the games."

Carrick concluded by stressing that one bad afternoon won't derail their ambitions: "When we keep getting stronger as a group, that'll come. Today's a game we can't ignore, we have a lot to learn from it - but we will. It's one game, the first game of the season. It hurts, of course, but it's one game. It doesn't change the direction the team or the football club is going in. We'll stay calm and in the bubble and focus on next week."

United will have the chance to set things right next week when they return to Old Trafford, welcoming another newly-promoted side Ipswich Town for their first home fixture of the new campaign.