Carrick defends poor start despite defensive concerns

Michael Carrick said Manchester United's start to the Premier League season has not been "that bad" despite conceding twice late on to draw 2-2 at Everton on Sunday.

The Red Devils appeared to have an inviting start against newly-promoted Hull and Ipswich before the trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but have taken just four points from their opening three games.

"It's not that bad," said Carrick. "We've got that close to coming away with three points today, that's football, there are moments we can deal with a bit better, but we'll be fine.

"We're bitterly disappointed to be up in the position we were in the game twice, so close to the end.

"All the work that went into putting us in that position at different stages to then come away like that — it's not a great feeling. It feels like a defeat."

United concentrated its limited transfer budget in reinforcing Carrick's midfield with three new signings.

But only Youri Tielemans has started the last two games with Andrey Santos dropped to the bench and Carlos Baleba out injured.

The decision not to strengthen an ageing defense could prove costly with United having conceded twice in all three games so far.

Much tougher tests are also to come with Manchester City next up in the league at Old Trafford this weekend.

Twice United looked on course for all three points on Merseyside.

Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring inside the first minute of the second half and Benjamin Sesko restored the visitor's lead in the 88th minute.

However, it failed to hold out as blistering strikes by Tyrique George and Ainsley Maitland-Niles secured a point for an Everton side short on attacking options.

"Obviously we can't ignore it," added Carrick. "We need to concede less goals to give us a better chance of winning games, but we'll certainly look at that and keep improving.

"I think there's obviously things we need to get better at as a team. There's been two strikes from distance really, two really good strikes from their point of view, that sometimes they fly in the top corner and more often than not they probably don't."

A more positive note for Carrick has been the form of Marcus Rashford on his return to the club.

The England international's United career appeared over after falling out of favor with Carrick's predecessor Ruben Amorim, which saw him loaned out to Aston Villa and Barcelona in the past two seasons.

"He's done ever so well since he came back. He looked really sharp again today and dangerous," said the United boss.

"That final moment didn't quite drop for him, but nevertheless I thought he created really good opportunities and gave us a big threat throughout the game really."

A draw maintains Everton's unbeaten start and keeps it one point ahead of United to calm the sense of unrest among the club's fans.

A miserable end to the window could still have ramifications for Everton's performance over the rest of the season.

After letting Iliman Ndiaye depart in a 65-million-pound ($88 million) move to Manchester City and Beto to leave for Fiorentina, the Toffees expected to strengthen their forward line with the signing of Monaco's Folarin Balogun.

An issue with the USA international's medical saw the clubs frantically renegotiate the structure of a 40-million-pound deal but Balogun turned his back on the move.

David Moyes has been left with only one natural striker to pick from in Thierno Barry as a result and only 18 outfield players.

The return of Jack Grealish on loan for the season only slightly softened the blow as Moyes faces up to the realities of a possible relegation battle rather than a challenge for European football.

AFP