Michael Carrick calls notion of Manchester United's 'easy' Premier League start 'ridiculous'

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick said it is "ridiculous" to suggest his side have a favourable start to the Premier League season and rejected the idea that the early fixtures amount to an easy opening sequence.

Carrick won 12 out of his 15 games in charge of Manchester United last season, a run that helped the club finish third and led to his appointment on a permanent basis. That winning form has fuelled claims that United should hit the ground running as the new campaign begins.

Those claims have been prompted by United's early opponents: Carrick's side travel to Championship play-off winners Hull on Saturday and will face Ipswich, another newly promoted side, in their first game at Old Trafford on 30 August.

"A newly promoted team away from home is a tough game," said Carrick. "I've been involved in them in the past so I'm fully aware of what's coming at us on Saturday and what we've got to be ready for."

"It's not favourable. It's an easy thing to throw out there but it's pretty ridiculous. I'm not taking it that way at all," he added.

United travel to Hull on Saturday and then host Ipswich at Old Trafford on 30 August; Carrick's comments were made in the context of those upcoming matches.