Carrick calm despite Manchester United misery, Everton spoil Sage Palace debut

Michael Carrick insisted he would not blast his Manchester United’s flops despite a dismal 2-0 defeat at Hull in their opening game of the Premier League season, while Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage suffered a debut loss against Everton.

Carrick’s side were rocked by first half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.

Hull, who are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, were without 10 players due to injury but still put woeful United to the sword with a vibrant display.

It was a chastening start for United, who are expected to mount a title challenge after finishing third last term.

There was scant evidence that United are capable of going toe to toe with champions Arsenal.

But the stoic Carrick was determined to keep his composure to avoid the kind of emotional outburst that doomed his sacked predecessor Ruben Amorim last season.

“We came here to win so to not take anything away is hugely disappointing. It is not a nice feeling but it is not going to change our direction as a team or a club,” Carrick said.

“It can happen, we can be better. There are issues playing against different systems and we have to find answers to that.

“You have to carry on as normal. We just don’t all have to shout and scream and create some chaos. Calmness doesn’t mean there is not emotion.”

Sage, Palace’s new French manager, endured a miserable start in a 2-0 loss at Everton.

Under Sage’s predecessor Oliver Glasner, the Eagles won the FA Cup in 2025 and the UEFA Conference League last season.

But Glasner left for Nottingham Forest in the close-season, with Sage hired after leading Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and a French Cup triumph last season.

iernan Dewsbury-Hall gave Everton the lead against the run of play in the 42nd minute, dispossessing Daniel Munoz before lashing a powerful shot into the far corner of Dean Henderson’s net.

Thierno Barry added to Sage’s misery with a bullet header from Iliman Ndiaye’s 53rd minute cross.

Glasner’s first game as Forest boss ended in a 1-0 defeat against Leeds at the City Ground.

Anton Stach’s 88th minute free-kick squirmed past Forest keeper Matz Sels to seal the points for Leeds, who face Glasner’s men again in the League Cup second round on Tuesday.

Ipswich marked their return to the Premier League with a dramatic 2-1 win against Sunderland at Portman Road.

Emersonn put Ipswich ahead with a debut goal in the 24th minute, the Brazilian forward slotting home after Julio Enciso punished a mistake by Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien.

Nilson Angulo equalised in the 39th minute with a fine free-kick that cannoned in off the crossbar.

But Jack Clarke seized on Omar Alderete’s wayward pass and curled home in the 90th minute, giving Gary O’Neil a victory in his first game as Ipswich boss after replacing Kieran McKenna.

Big-spending Tottenham make the short trip to west London to face Brentford in Saturday’s late game.

On Sunday, Manchester City start life without Pep Guardiola when new boss Enzo Maresca takes charge for the first time against Bournemouth.

Liverpool, who parted with Egypt forward Mohamed Salah in the close-season, are also under new management as former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola prepares for his first match against Newcastle.

Europa League winners Aston Villa travel to Brighton with a new-look side after selling several of their star players.

Arsenal opened their title defence with an emphatic 3-0 win at home to promoted Coventry on Friday.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have agreed to sign Brighton’s Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba in a £70 million ($95 million) deal, according to reports on Friday.

United boss Michael Carrick has overhauled his midfield since the end of last season and Baleba will become the latest new recruit.

The 22-year-old is due to travel to Manchester this weekend to finalise the move.

He joined Brighton in 2023 from Lille and made more than 100 appearances for the Seagulls in all competitions.

Agencies