Manchester United manager Michael Carrick can look to his former mentor Jose Mourinho as he aims for a response to the club’s opening defeat. United were unable to turn the tide in their favour after falling 2-0 down to newly-promoted Hull City in the first half of their Premier League season opener on Saturday.
The Tigers took a shock 17th-minute lead through Semi Ajayi, with fellow centre-back Nobel Mendy doubling Hull’s advantage before the break. Carrick attempted to seize momentum by bringing Marcus Rashford on at the beginning of the second half.
United's Disappointing Start
He later introduced Benjamin Sesko, Kobbie Mainoo, Diogo Dalot and Shea Lacey, though United still struggled to create chances. It was a disappointing start to the season for Carrick, who began his coaching career as part of Mourinho’s coaching staff at Old Trafford in 2018.
Then, several hours after United’s campaign had started with a whimper, the Portuguese coach turned the clock back and marked his return to Real Madrid with a dramatic 2-1 win over Espanyol. The victory came courtesy of a 90th-minute winner from new £21million signing Carlos Espi, who had replaced Jude Bellingham 10 minutes earlier.
Mourinho's Decisive Impact
The £21million forward from Levante had the type of game-changing impact off the bench that Carrick’s side sorely lacked at the weekend. The United boss previously lauded Mourinho’s ability to quickly spot issues in-game, when Carrick reflected on his brief spell as part of the experienced coach’s backroom staff at Old Trafford.
"I don’t think you can ever expect an opportunity like that to come along even though I’d been at the club a long time," Carrick said in 2023. "Seeing Jose close up and what he’d seen in players, how quickly he spotted strengths and weaknesses, he made up his mind very quickly and was very decisive tactically how he went about things."
"A terrific experience and it was a short point unfortunately with Jose in the end, things changed quite quickly." Mourinho had expressed his desire to add Carrick to his coaching staff during the midfielder’s final year as a player in 2017/18 season. The 45-year-old was eventually brought in, while Kireran McKenna was also promoted to first-team coach, before Mourinho was sacked in December 2018.
Carrick's Response and Next Steps
Carrick certainly attempted to emulate Mourinho’s decisive approach by introducing five substitutes during the Hull loss, including a half-time switch. However, unlike Mourinho’s winning start in Madrid, United failed to spark a comeback, leaving Carrick to mull over what must change ahead of the team’s next match against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.
The transfer window remains open and the club are working to strengthen their side ahead of deadline day on September 1. Meanwhile, following his successful stint in the dugout last term, Carrick has called for calm after his side’s dismal opening display.
"We haven't lost many games in six, seven months," the United boss said. "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."
However, while poor results can happen, Carrick will understand the importance of players seizing their moment when the starting XI falter. As United look to compete on multiple fronts, it is vital that the squad collectively step up, with Mourinho also giving Carrick a telling reminder at the weekend.
