David De Gea has sent a message of support to Michael Carrick after Manchester United lost 2-0 to Hull City on Saturday. Carrick was given the United job on a permanent basis at the end of last season after he succeeded Ruben Amorim on an interim basis in January.
Yet the new man in charge was powerless as he watched his side slip to a humbling opening day defeat to the Premier League new boys. United were heavy favourites but Hull stormed into a two-goal lead at half-time thanks to strikes from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy.
De Gea's message of support
Understandably, the mood around Old Trafford has been severely dampened, such was the meek nature of United's shock defeat at the MKM Stadium. But if anyone understands the trials and tribulations of playing for United, it's the vastly experienced De Gea.
Taking to X, he posted: "It's not how it starts, it's how it ends," reminding Carrick that the Premier League season is long while showing that the Spanish shot-stopper still pays close attention to United's results.
De Gea's United legacy
De Gea became an icon at Old Trafford. The 35-year-old secured the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson, establishing himself as one of the finest shot-stoppers in the world.
Following 12 seasons in Manchester, he departed in July 2023 and spent the whole of the 2023/24 campaign as a free agent before putting pen to paper with Serie A side Fiorentina. De Gea has spoken enthusiastically about his years at Old Trafford. He described Sir Alex as a "father figure" and has claimed that "every game at United was special."
Carrick's reaction to the defeat
Carrick was sorely disappointed with United's opening day defeat. "You know, we came here to win as we do in any game," he said after the game. "So, to not take anything away is hugely disappointing. It's not more than that. It's not less than that.
"It's just one game that we're disappointed we haven't won. So got to soak it up and come back stronger. It's not a time to dissect it as such. I think we've been pretty good [at defending set-pieces] over a period of time.
"Today they've obviously scored two in different ways, you know, so I guess why that's highlighted, I understand that. But it happens. Sometimes it happens in football, but we don't accept it, but it happens and we've got to understand why.
"We haven't lost many games in six, seven months. So again, I get it, we've lost today, and I understand there are questions to be asked, but it doesn't mean everything's wrong because we've lost a game.
"So we've got to find the answers for that, but it's just because we lost one game doesn't mean that everything needs to be dissected and it's wrong from our point of view. I understand from others, it happens, and that's how it is."
United and Carrick will have a chance to post their first three points on the board in the Premier League when they host Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 30.
