Manchester United's Premier League season began in disappointing fashion as they suffered a 2-0 loss away to newly promoted Hull, with captain Bruno Fernandes admitting his side had repeated the same failings that plagued them on the road last term.
Goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy in the first half secured a deserved victory for Hull on their return to the top flight, denying United any positive momentum despite the optimism surrounding the club following manager Michael Carrick's impressive run that saw them finish third last season and secure Champions League qualification.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Fernandes did not hold back in his assessment of the performance, pointing to a lack of intensity and repeated defensive lapses that have become a pattern for United in away fixtures.
"Same mistakes as we did last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to them," Fernandes said. "In the first 20 minutes, the goalkeeper was the one with the most touches. We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals. Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment."
The United captain also acknowledged that his side had been fully aware of the threat Hull posed, particularly from set-piece situations, and highlighted the extra motivation a promoted side carries in their first Premier League match of the season.
"We know in the Premier League these type of grounds are very difficult to play in," Fernandes added. "You need to match everything in intensity, aggression and everything. We had that apart from two set pieces. That cost us the game."
Carrick, who was rewarded with a two-year contract after guiding United through a successful interim spell last season, struck a more measured tone in his post-match comments. While acknowledging the disappointment of the result, the manager urged patience and consistency moving forward.
"It is hugely disappointing, of course it is, we came here to win so to not take anything away is hugely disappointing," Carrick said. "It's not more than that, not less. We have to soak it up and come back stronger. It doesn't mean you are passive if you get beat, the result is the result. We accept it, it is not a nice feeling but it is not going to change our direction as a team or a club. It can happen, we can be better."
Drawing on his own lengthy playing career at Old Trafford, Carrick reminded supporters and players alike that setbacks are part of any long campaign.
"I played here for a long time, you don't do that without the ups and downs but you have to carry on as normal," he said. "We just don't all have to shout and scream and create some chaos. Calmness doesn't mean there is not emotion. We have lost one game and it is not a nice one."
Not everyone was satisfied with the explanations offered, however. Former United midfielder Wayne Rooney, working as a pundit for Match of the Day, questioned why the same issues from last season had resurfaced so quickly.
"It's a strange quote from Bruno," Rooney said. "I think for Manchester United now to build on what they did last season, since Michael went in they finished third in the Premier League and got Champions League football, to build on that you have to become a team who teams are scared of playing against."
The defeat leaves United with plenty to address before their next fixture, as questions linger over whether the away-day frailties that hampered them last season can truly be fixed under Carrick's stewardship.
Based on reporting from Independent (football).