MICHAEL CARRICK extraordinarily claimed Manchester United have not had a “bad start” to the season – despite one win in three games against Hull, Ipswich and Everton.
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.
The draw leaves the side 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.
“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.”
READ MORE ON MAN UTD
CRACKER
Win stunning £600k 4-Bedroom Luxury Home & BMW X5 for just £1.79 with our discount
HAR-D START
Maguire left covered in blood after collision seconds into Man Utd vs Everton
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
VARDY PARTY
Jamie Vardy ends Everton transfer links as free agent joins struggling Burnley
WORRYING SCENE
Rugby ace stretchered off with horror neck injury on live TV as game delayed
ICON GONE
Brit wrestling legend who became huge star in US dies aged 82
PITCH SCARE
Match suspended as player collapses and is rushed to hospital in scary scenes
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS
Thursday 10 September
Man Utd
20:00
League Stage
Sabah
Sunday 13 September
Man Utd
16:30
EPL
Man City
Wednesday 16 September
Man Utd
20:00
LEC
Brighton
Sunday 20 September
Fulham
16:30
EPL
Man Utd
Sunday 6 September
Everton
2 – 2
EPL
Man Utd
Sunday 30 August
Man Utd
5 – 2
EPL
Ipswich
Saturday 22 August
Hull
2 – 0
EPL
Man Utd
English Premier League
Pld
Pts
GD
W
D
L
Form
7
3
5
2
1
2
0
8
3
5
2
1
2
0
9
3
5
1
1
2
0
10
3
4
3
1
1
1
11
3
4
1
1
1
1
12
3
4
0
1
1
1
13
3
3
-4
1
0
2
14
3
3
-4
1
0
2
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.”