Michael Carrick has been sold short by Manchester United board – but no amount of money can buy passion

So maybe Michael Carrick is not the Messiah after all or maybe he has simply been left short by his paymasters.

Carrick was rightly heralded for leading Manchester United into the Champions League last season, taking more points even than title-winning Mikel Arteta after replacing the hapless Ruben Amorim.

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But it took less than 40 minutes of the new season for Carrick’s halo to well and truly slip as United were mauled by a Tigers side written off by many (not me!) as relegation fodder.

Carrick made to rue squad selection?

Carrick’s bold pre-match calls to put his faith in the still raw Ayden Heaven and to leave out Kobbie Mainoo in preference for a central midfield pairing of Andre Santos and Youri Tielemans backfired spectacularly.

Heaven and centre-back partner Harry Maguire were given the runaround by the wily Ollie McBurnie while Santos and Tielemans were frankly useless.

Carrick’s hand was also forced at the top end of the pitch due to an untimely injury to Amad Diallo, meaning Bryan Mbeumo, who has excelled as a striker in pre-season, started out wide with Matheus Cunha as a false number nine.

Cunha took the title literally!

Carrick also left Marcus Rashford on the bench until half-time and Patrick Dorgu was another passenger as the visitors conceded two set piece goals in the space of 21 disastrous minutes.

In contrast to his opposite number, it was a tactical masterclass from Hull gaffer Sergej Jakirovic, who was content to let United dominate the ball, knowing his side could exploit their obvious defensive weaknesses on the counter.

It was the recipe for the Tigers’ unexpected promotion success last season and worked to perfection against a side who has more than 71 per cent possession with next to zero penetration.

Even the half-time addition of Marcus Rashford, who at least looked like he wanted to run at Hull’s defence, could not prevent United slipping to their first ever Premier League defeat in this fixture.

Fellow second half replacement Benjamin Sesko could be playing until the middle of next week and still not look like winning a header against the hosts’ brilliantly-drilled back five.

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United lacked the passion needed to grind out result

What Hull lack in quality, and it is worth pointing out goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis and goal-scoring defender Nobel Mendy both impressed on their Premier League debuts, they more than make up for in heart.

A little over a decade ago Matt Crooks was playing for League Two Accrington Stanley. 

The former United trainee and Old Trafford season ticket holder showed a willingness to run and dig in that the £50m Santos simply could not match while the veteran McBurnie’s work ethic left all of United’s supposed ‘superstar’ forwards in the shade.

Hull could have signed £50,000 Regan Slater, whose free-kick set up Mendy’s match-clinching second goal, 1400 times over for the £70million United have just agreed to pay Brighton for Carlos Baleba.

That is why this felt like such a humbling opening day for Carrick and his players, although not all the blame should be laid at the manager’s door.

Director of football Jason Wilcox looked pretty pleased with himself standing outside the boardroom pre-match, presumably having clinched the signature of long-term target Baleba for a reduced fee.

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Wilcox’s post-match expression told a different story and Baleba’s arrival cannot solve all of United’s problems when it comes to keeping clean sheets.

Luke Shaw and Maguire both started the Red Devils’ chastening 4-0 defeat at Brentford in Erik ten Hag’s second game in charge some four years ago.

What positions do United need to strengthen in?

United need an upgrade on Shaw at left-back and for his qualities and character, there is a strong argument to be made that if Maguire has not provided the solution to leaking goals during his seven years at the club, then he is part of the issue.

The club have high hopes for Leny Yoro, but he is still to prove himself at this level while both Lisandro Martinez and, even more so, Matthijs de Ligt have been held back by injury.

Wilcox and co have a little over a week of the transfer window left to provide Carrick the tools he needs to make sure this opening day horror show does not become the norm in his first full season in charge.