Manchester United faces Ipswich Town on Sunday at Old Trafford, with the hosts desperately seeking a victory following a disappointing 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Hull City last weekend. The upset loss to Hull marked a concerning start to the new campaign for manager Michael Carrick.

Carrick, who was permanently appointed after guiding the Red Devils to a third-place finish last season during an interim spell, saw his side deliver a lackluster performance at the MKM Stadium. First-half goals from Hull's Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy secured a historic win for the Tigers, their first league victory over Manchester United in 52 years and their first in the Premier League after a nine-year absence.

Meanwhile, Ipswich Town, also promoted from the Championship, has had a dream start to their Premier League campaign, defeating Sunderland 2-1 at home. They further boosted their confidence with a 3-1 victory over Leicester City in the League Cup in midweek, suggesting they will be a formidable opponent for Manchester United.

A loss for Manchester United in this fixture would see them become the first team in Premier League history to commence a season with consecutive defeats against newly-promoted sides, intensifying the pressure on Carrick and his squad.

Carrick acknowledged the need for improvement following the Hull match, stating that going behind against a promoted team at home made their task more difficult. He emphasized that while the disappointment is significant, it does not derail the team's overall direction. "It is one game. First game of the season. It is disappointing enough, it hurts, of course it does. But it doesn’t change the whole course of direction the team is going in or the football club. We will stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week," he said.

The club has also been dealt a blow with new signing Carlos Baleba sidelined for approximately three weeks due to an ankle injury. Carrick expressed excitement about the Cameroonian's "massive potential" despite the setback.

Manchester United arrived in Hull last Saturday with considerable optimism, but their performance was characterized by a lack of effectiveness in attack and defensive frailties. This starkly contrasted with Ipswich's strong start, indicating a potential for an upset at Old Trafford.

The upcoming match against Ipswich presents a critical opportunity for Manchester United to regroup and demonstrate their capabilities, while Ipswich will aim to capitalize on their early momentum and continue their impressive return to the top flight.