Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says it is “ridiculous” to say his team have a favourable start to the Premier League season.

Carrick’s side head to Championship play-off winners Hull on Saturday, before facing Ipswich, another newly promoted side, in their first game at Old Trafford on 30 August.

It has sparked claims that United should hit the ground running and maintain the winning form that brought them a third-place finish last season and led to Carrick being appointed on a permanent basis.

Carrick thinks the assessment is badly wrong.

“A newly promoted team away from home is a tough game,” said Carrick.

“I’ve been involved in them in the past so I’m fully aware of what’s coming at us on Saturday and what we’ve got to be ready for.

“It’s not favourable. It’s an easy thing to throw out there but it’s pretty ridiculous. I’m not taking it that way at all.”