Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said it would be lazy to claim that his team lack passion. United suffered a 0-2 loss in their opening game of the season against Hull City last weekend.  The Red Devils’ start to the season didn’t start on a good note as Semi Ajayi scored the opening goal for the home team in the 17th minute.

Nobel Mendy then scored the second goal for Hull City in the 38th minute to put more pressure on the Red Devils. Both of the hosts’ goals came from set-pieces in the first half as Hull recorded their first league win over United since 1974.

“Teams lose games and win games, and it’s not just because you try or you don’t try,” Carrick told a news conference.

“There are all sorts of different reasons. Teams lose games, so there’s different reasons. I don’t have to give you the total reason, because we know what we’re trying to improve on.

“I think it’s so easy and lazy to just say ‘team loses a game, everything’s wrong.’ This is wrong, this is wrong, not trying enough, not enough passion.”

United’s next game is against Ipswich Town on Sunday and the team would look to a turn a corner after loss against Hull City.

“I think success comes from how well you deal with setbacks in the end,” Carrick added.

“In any position, certainly any sport, particularly this one, going through a season, there’s going to be setbacks, sometimes a bit smaller than others.

“I think it ultimately decides what type of team you’re going to become. So far, we’ve dealt with those setbacks really well, within games, game to game.

“We had one last week. No getting away from it and it’s disappointing. But we look to bounce back. We had a good week, boys are refocused, learned from where we could have improved, and keep pushing forward.”

Carrick had played a key role in helping United finish in third place in the previous season.