Carrick calm despite United loss, while De Zerbi's big-spending Spurs get thrashed

Michael Carrick insisted he would not blast his Manchester United flops, despite a dismal 2-0 defeat away to Hull in their opening game of the Premier League season, while big-spending Tottenham slumped to an embarrassing 3-0 away loss to Brentford.

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

Hull, which is back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, was 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, which many expected to mount a title challenge after finishing third last term.

There was scant evidence that United is capable of going toe to toe with champion Arsenal.

But the stoic Carrick was determined to keep his composure and to avoid the kind of emotional outburst that helped doom his predecessor Ruben Amorim to the sack 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.

"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."

United finished the game with 72 percent possession, but it felt like possession without purpose.

Center-back Harry Maguire was among their most threatening attacking outlets.

Bryan Mbeumo forced one of the few meaningful saves from Konstantinos Tzolakis, but Hull's goalkeeper was otherwise little more than a spectator.

Even Marcus Rashford's long-awaited return could not spark a comeback.

Making his first United appearance since December 2024 after his exile under Amorim and loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona, Rashford showed flashes of sharpness, but received precious little service.

For Hull, it was a first league victory over United in 52 years.

For Carrick, it was a reminder that momentum is fragile.

Familiar collapse

Tottenham, meanwhile, has splashed out over 200 million pounds ($272 million) in a bid to improve a squad that narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship on the final day of last season.

But Spurs' lavish close-season spending failed to disguise the side's familiar shortcomings.

Roberto De Zerbi gave debuts to four of his new recruits as Sandro Tonali, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke all started, while the 85 million-pound Mateus Fernandes came off the bench in the second half.

But Brentford, offered another example of what continuity and smart recruitment can achieve, looking cohesive and confident despite operating on a fraction of Tottenham's budget.

The Bees swarmed west London with a dynamic display that exposed the flaws in the visitor's costly rebuilding plan.

Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt netted for Keith Andrews' side in the first half, before Michael Kayode struck after the interval.

It could have been even worse for Tottenham, as Igor Thiago missed a penalty that would have put Brentford four goals up.

"I am sorry for the defeat. I know we have to improve in our physical condition and the organization. There were many new players, but it was the first game. It's part of our journey," De Zerbi said.

Bolstered by impressive record signing Mamadou Sangare, who set up the second goal for Janelt, Brentford looked capable of surpassing last season's ninth-placed finish.

Spurs, meanwhile, looked bereft of ideas and were comprehensively outplayed and outfought, failing to register a shot on target in the first half.

Italian De Zerbi saved Tottenham from the drop in his seven games in charge last season and has been handsomely backed.

Brazilian winger Savinho is expected to arrive from Manchester City to bolster the attack.

City forward Omar Marmoush is also being pursued.

Yet, however many players Spurs bring in, De Zerbi knows the basics must be addressed to make progress.

"We lost and suffered the difference in the duels. It was the key of this game. We didn't fight in the right way," De Zerbi said.

"Our physical condition was not at the right level for all players, because many came later after the World Cup and there were many new players in the squad and starting lineup.

"But we have to analyze this game better, because we can't play this way in this type of game."

Sage suffers

Pierre Sage, Crystal 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 summer, with Sage hired after leading Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and a French Cup triumph last season.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall gave Everton the lead against the run of play in the 42nd minute.

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

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