Michael Carrick has rejected suggestions that Manchester United face a favourable opening to the Premier League season, calling the notion "ridiculous" ahead of Saturday's trip to Hull in their first match of the campaign.
United follow up against newly promoted Ipswich at Old Trafford on 30 August, but Carrick insisted there are no easy starts in the league and cautioned that the club must make a "jump" to mount a genuine title challenge. The former midfielder was appointed permanent head coach over the summer after taking interim charge in January and steering the team to a third-place finish.
United are hopeful of signing Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba for under £75 million and remain in the market for a left-back after Casemiro's departure and a serious injury to Manuel Ugarte. Mason Mount is a doubt for the Hull match with a knock, while Benjamin Sesko has returned to training after a shin problem.