Frank Lampard discusses Coventry City’s link-up with MLS’s Detroit City
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard discusses the club’s link-up with Detroit City FC and how the partnership can benefit both sides.
Sports Seriously
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick certainly isn’t hitting the panic button.
The Red Devils fell 2-0 to Hull City on the opening day of the Premier League, failing to beat a promoted team in an opener for the first time in the history of the club.
But Carrick, who took over the club in January and was able to win 12 of the last 17 matches of the season, said the loss changes little about the plans for the club going forward.
“It’s one game. It’s one game. It’s the first game of the season. It’s disappointing enough and it hurts, of course it does, but it’s one game,” Carrick told TNT Sports after the match. “It doesn’t change direction, all of a sudden, the whole course of what direction the team is going in or the football club. We’ll stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week.”
Hull City defender Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the 17th minute, cleaning up after a chaotic sequence that started with a corner kick.
And the Tigers were ahead by two in the 38th minute thanks to a Nobel Mendy header from a free kick.
While Carrick said it was frustrating to see his team concede on a pair of set pieces after good set-piece defense in the back half of last season, he said there was a margin for error
“Obviously bits to improve on. It was never going to be perfect today, but going behind and giving ourselves a lot to do makes it a lot more difficult. Probably a typical one of those games with a newly promoted team at home,” he said. “We can’t give them much, and they got a lot to hold on to.
“We’re bitterly disappointed with the result today, but it won’t knock us.”
After a third-place finish last campaign, United fans were hopeful that a full season under Carrick could put their team back in the race for the Premier League title. After the inauspicious start, Manchester Untied now must beat another recently promoted team, hosting Ipswich Town on Aug. 30.