Michael Carrick insisted he would not blast his Manchester United's flops despite a dismal 2-0 defeat at Hull in their opening game of the Premier League season, while big-spending Tottenham slumped to an embarrassing 3-0 loss against Brentford.
It's a Saturday of shocks to open the new Premier League season 🤯🏴#SSFootball | #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/jNgkdwxa5m
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 22, 2026
Carrick's side were rocked by first half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.
Hull, who are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, were without 10 players due to injury but still put woeful United to the sword with a vibrant display.
The latest moment etched into Hull City history...✍️ pic.twitter.com/vrAA8ahV0n
— Hull City (@HullCity) August 22, 2026
It was a chastening start for United, who are expected to mount a title challenge after finishing third last term.
There was scant evidence that United are capable of going toe to toe with champions Arsenal.
But the stoic Carrick was determined to keep his composure to avoid the kind of emotional outburst that doomed his sacked predecessor Ruben Amorim last season.
"We came here to win so to not take anything away is hugely disappointing. It is not a nice feeling but it is not going to change our direction as a team or a club," Carrick said.
"You have to carry on as normal. We just don't all have to shout and scream and create some chaos. Calmness doesn't mean there is not emotion."
Tottenham have splashed out over £200 million in a bid to improve a squad that narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship on the final day of last season.
Roberto De Zerbi gave debuts to four of his new recruits as Sandro Tonali, Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke all started, while Mateus Fernandes came off the bench in the second half.
But Brentford, assembled on a fraction of Tottenham's budget, ran riot in west London with a dynamic display that exposed the flaws in the visitors' costly rebuilding plan.
Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt netted for Keith Andrews' side in the first half before Michael Kayode struck after the interval.
It could have been even worse for Tottenham as Igor Thiago missed a penalty that would have put Brentford four up.
"I am sorry for the defeat. I know we have to improve in our physical condition and the organisation. There were many new players but it was the first game. It's part of our journey," De Zerbi said.
The Bees. ™️ pic.twitter.com/XXvDlovdKi
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 22, 2026
SAGE SUFFERS
Pierre Sage, Crystal Palace's new French manager, endured a miserable start in a 2-0 loss at Everton.
Under Sage's predecessor Oliver Glasner, the Eagles won the FA Cup in 2025 and the UEFA Conference League last season.
But Glasner left for Nottingham Forest in the close-season, with Sage hired after leading Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and a French Cup triumph last season.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall gave Everton the lead against the run of play in the 42nd minute, dispossessing Daniel Munoz before lashing a powerful shot into the far corner of Dean Henderson's net.
Thierno Barry added to Sage's misery with a bullet header from Iliman Ndiaye's 53rd minute cross.
Pure passion. This is what it means. 💙 pic.twitter.com/LzClxROh2D
— Everton (@Everton) August 22, 2026
Glasner's first game as Forest boss ended in a 1-0 defeat against Leeds at the City Ground.
Anton Stach's 88th minute free-kick squirmed past Forest keeper Matz Sels to seal the points for Leeds, who face Glasner's men again in the League Cup second round on Tuesday.
🤩 THIS TEAM! pic.twitter.com/HQCcRrGvB3
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 22, 2026
Ipswich marked their return to the Premier League with a dramatic 2-1 win against Sunderland at Portman Road.
Emersonn put Ipswich ahead with a debut goal in the 24th minute before Nilson Angulo equalised in the 39th minute with a fine free-kick.
Jack Clarke curled home in the 90th minute, giving Gary O'Neil a victory in his first game as Ipswich boss after replacing Kieran McKenna.
What. A. Moment. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/tHEQRjqcVH
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) August 22, 2026
On Sunday, Manchester City start life without Pep Guardiola when new boss Enzo Maresca takes charge for the first time against Bournemouth.
Liverpool, who parted with Egypt forward Mohamed Salah in the close-season, are also under new management as former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola prepares for his first match against Newcastle.
Arsenal opened their title defence with an emphatic 3-0 win at home to promoted Coventry on Friday.