Michael Carrick insisted one defeat would not derail Manchester United's progress after his side began their Premier League campaign with a shock 2-0 loss to newly promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
First-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, both from set-pieces, condemned United to defeat on a day when pre-season optimism was punctured. The result was United's first-ever loss to newly promoted opposition in a season opener.
"It's one game," Carrick said. "It's the first game of the season, so it's disappointing enough, and it hurts, of course it does. But it doesn't change direction all of a sudden, the whole direction the team's going in, or the football club. We'll stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week."
A Dream Start for Hull
Hull, playing in the top flight for the first time in nine years and promoted via the Championship playoffs, were written off by many pundits before a ball was kicked. They had not beaten United in the top flight previously, but delivered a performance full of energy and intent.
Manager Sergej Jakirovic said the result was a major confidence boost for his squad. "I'm very happy, our players put everything on the pitch today as we agreed," he said. "This is maybe the key because I have to convince my players that we are capable to play at this level... This victory is amazing because now they are convinced they can compete at this level." The win was celebrated by former players, with Alan Shearer telling TNT Sports that United "didn't look fit" and that only one team looked ready for the intensity of the game, while Ally McCoist called it "one of the shocks of the season already."
Lucas Herrington, an 18-year-old Australian, came on as a second-half substitute for Hull to make his Premier League debut in what several reports described as a dream return to the top flight.
A Lack of Spark
Despite dominating possession with 72%, United failed to trouble a resolute Hull defence. The visitors' new-look central midfield partnership of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos struggled to impose themselves, a fact highlighted by several reports detailing Hull's superior physical statistics. Marcus Rashford, returning from a loan spell at Barcelona, came on at half-time for his first competitive United appearance in more than 600 days but received little service.
Captain Bruno Fernandes pointed to familiar failings. "Same mistakes as we did last season in every away game," he said, according to quotes in multiple reports. "We need to press a little bit more, be more aggressive, and set-plays - we need to work on it."
A Weekend of Upsets
United were not the only favourites to stumble. Tottenham Hotspur, after spending over $300 million on new players, were soundly beaten 3-0 at Brentford, with Sandro Tonali - a club-record signing - unable to prevent a dominant home display. Brentford led through Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt before Michael Kayode added a third, and Igor Thiago hit the post with a penalty.
Elsewhere, Everton beat Crystal Palace 2-0 in front of Britain's newly installed Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry on target. Ipswich Town also marked their return with a 2-1 win over Sunderland, thanks to a 90th-minute winner from Jack Clarke. Leeds United edged Nottingham Forest 1-0 with an 88th-minute free-kick from Anton Stach, while Arsenal began their title defence with a 3-0 win over Coventry on Friday.
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Carrick, who was given a permanent contract after guiding United to a third-place finish last season, insisted the club would not panic. "It doesn't mean you are passive if you get beat, the result is the result," he said. "We accept it, it is not a nice feeling but it is not going to change our direction as a team or a club."
Wayne Rooney, speaking on Match of the Day, described Fernandes's comments as "strange" and added that there was a "lack of intensity and closing down" from United, while also praising Hull. The result leaves United and Carrick with much to ponder as they prepare for their home opener against Ipswich Town.