David de Gea’s Message After Man United Defeat Offers Support for Michael Carrick
reported by Facthabournews
Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has sent a message of encouragement to his former club following their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Hull City in the opening game of the 2026/27 Premier League season.
De Gea, who spent 12 years at Manchester United before leaving the club in 2023, reacted to the result on social media with a brief message: “It’s not how it starts, it’s how it ends.”
Although the former Spain international did not directly mention manager Michael Carrick, his words have been interpreted as a reminder that one poor result should not determine the direction of an entire season.
United Suffer Disappointing Start
Manchester United travelled to the MKM Stadium hoping to begin the new Premier League campaign with a positive result under Carrick, who is now in his first full season as the club’s permanent manager.
Instead, newly promoted Hull City produced a strong performance to secure a 2-0 victory.
Semi Ajayi opened the scoring before Nobel Mendy doubled Hull’s advantage before half-time. United dominated possession for long periods but struggled to turn that control into clear-cut opportunities.
The result represented a significant setback for Carrick, particularly after United had finished third last season and entered the new campaign with renewed optimism.
De Gea Urges Patience
De Gea’s message has attracted attention because of his long association with Manchester United and his experience of difficult periods at the club.
His statement, “It’s not how it starts, it’s how it ends,” suggests that the former goalkeeper believes the season should be judged over its entirety rather than by its opening fixture.
The message also aligns closely with Carrick’s own response after the defeat.
Carrick acknowledged the disappointment but insisted that one match should not determine the team’s overall direction. He said the squad needed to improve while maintaining calm and focus.
Carrick Faces Early Pressure
Despite Carrick’s call for patience, the defeat has inevitably created questions about Manchester United’s readiness for the new campaign.
The manager had overseen a strong finish to the previous season, helping United secure third place after taking charge during the latter stages.
The club also strengthened the squad during the summer, bringing in midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, while continuing to pursue further additions before the transfer window closes.
However, the performance against Hull exposed some of the same concerns that have affected United in recent seasons, particularly defensive vulnerability at set pieces and a lack of cutting edge in the final third.
One Defeat Does Not Define a Season
For Carrick, the immediate priority will be to ensure that the defeat does not affect the team’s confidence.
Manchester United still have a long Premier League campaign ahead, with numerous opportunities to recover points and improve their performances.
The manager has already stressed that the squad understands the areas that require improvement and that the players remain focused on responding positively.
De Gea’s message therefore provides an interesting perspective from a former United player who knows the pressures surrounding the club.
Rather than criticising the manager or players after the defeat, his short statement focused on the bigger picture.
United Must Respond Quickly
While patience is important, Manchester United cannot afford to ignore the weaknesses exposed against Hull.
The team will need to improve its defending from set pieces, create more meaningful attacking opportunities and show greater intensity in subsequent matches.
The next fixtures will provide Carrick with an opportunity to demonstrate whether the Hull defeat was an isolated setback or evidence of deeper problems within the squad.
For now, De Gea’s message serves as a reminder that the Premier League season is a marathon rather than a single match.
Manchester United’s response in the coming weeks will ultimately determine whether the defeat at Hull becomes a minor early setback or the beginning of a difficult campaign.
For Carrick and his players, the answer will come on the pitch.
This report is based on publicly available reports and David de Gea’s social-media message following Manchester United’s defeat to Hull City. Interpretations of his message are presented as analysis and should not be regarded as a direct statement about Michael Carrick.
