‘Come on’ – Michael Carrick fumes at reporter’s ‘ridiculous’ question after Man United defeat

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick snapped back at a reporter for asking if his players lacked passion during defeat to Hull City.

Carrick was left baffled as doubts were raised over the United players’ passion following their shock 2-0 defeat on Saturday.

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The Red Devils were beaten comfortably by newly-promoted Hull, who have been heavily tipped to finish bottom of the Premier League this season.

But Carrick didn’t believe that a lack of fight from his squad was the reason for their loss on the opening weekend.

And he made that very clear to former Premier League striker Jan Aage Fjortoft, who interviewed him for Viaplay post-match.

What question did Carrick snap back at?

“I guess in management there are so many buzzwords like passion, intensity and go for it – but would you accept that there was a lack of passion in the first half?” Norwegian Fjortoft asked.

Carrick, who looked angered by the question, quickly replied: “Oh, come on. That’s ridiculous.”

The United boss then stared back at Fjortoft, who went on to say: “That’s not what you would assess?”

“You played football,” Carrick said back. “You understand. That’s a ridiculous thing to say. Just because you get beaten, it doesn’t mean you don’t care about it.”

Fjortoft added: “Would you accept they were on the front foot?”

To which Carrick said: “No, their two goals came from set plays. Other than that, we had opportunities. That was where the game was.

“I don’t think it was passion or anything to do with that. I think it was just their moments that made the difference in the game.”

What else did Carrick say post-match?

Carrick backed his players when speaking to Fjortoft, and in his press conference, he called on them to ‘come back stronger’.

He admitted: “It’s hugely disappointing, of course it is.

“We came here to win like we do any game. So to not take anything away is hugely disappointing.

“It’s not more than that. It’s not less than that. It’s just one game that we’re disappointed we haven’t won.

“So we’ve got to soak it up and come back stronger.”

Man United will be back in action for their second Premier League game of the season next Sunday, when they take on Ipswich Town.

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They face a second newly-promoted side in two games and will hope for a better outcome at Old Trafford.

A clash against Everton follows on September 6, before the first Manchester derby takes place on September 13.