Michael Carrick claims Man Utd have NOT had ‘bad start’ to new season despite just one win after latest Everton setback

MICHAEL CARRICK extraordinarily claimed Manchester United have not had a “bad start” to the season, despite one win in three games. United were denied victory at Everton by a 95th-minute equaliser from debutant Ainsley Maitland-Niles, having taken the lead twice at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Michael Carrick has played down claims United have started the season badly Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored a brilliant goal to deny United victory at Everton Credit: Reuters The draw leaves United with four points from a possible nine after an opening weekend defeat at newly-promoted Hull City before the 5-2 win against fellow newbies Ipswich Town. United host Manchester City, who have a 100 per cent record, in their next Premier League match and Carrick bristled at the suggestion that United’s fine form from last season has not continued. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! “We haven’t started the season that bad,” Carrick shot back. “It’s not that bad. “We were 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.” The decision to substitute Marcus Rashford in the 70th minute with United 1-0 up was widely questioned but Carrick claimed the winger was “feeling something”. Everton ended a turbulent week on an uplifting note to prolong their unbeaten start to the campaign. The club were forced into a U-turn amid plans to sell academy talent Harrison Armstrong but failed to sign a new striker, leaving Thierno Barry as their only senior option after the £15million sale of Beto to Fiorentina. But manager David Moyes was encouraged by another battling performance against former club United, who Everton have lost to only once in four fixtures since Moyes returned in January 2025. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Moyes stressed: “I was happy to get the point but still a little bit disappointed. “We want to win our home games. We are trying to aim to challenge the top teams in the Premier League. “Actually, when I came back, and I said, I want us to be a team that can challenge all the top teams. “So Everton’s supporters are thinking we’re going into some of these games with a chance. “We played Man United here last year. We lost and luckily in the game, I thought, on the night. “We beat them at Old Trafford. So we’re challenging, in the recent games, we had pretty good results against Manchester United. “I want to do that against all the big teams if we can and assure them that we’re competitive.” Comment now