Mark Hughes spoke to CUTV following our opening day win against Woking FC.
Starting with an overall assessment, he explained: "I thought we were very good, I have to say. I thought we started off really, really strongly and set the tone for the rest of the game really.
"Coming here, it's not easy and I think a lot of people thought this was a difficult fixture for us but for all intents and purposes, very few moments of drama against us where we got any concerted pressure from the opposition.
"Overall, a very well-managed game from our point of view. We could have scored any amount of goals today, really. I think we had something like 24, 25 attempts on goal which is a good sign moving forward because, like I said, I think Woking will be a good side this year but I just think it was the manner of our performance today that didn't allow them to play as well as they wanted.
The hosts' shot-stopper pulled off a number of superb stops, with the pick of the bunch denying Regan Linney's curling effort towards the far corner.
"A couple of unbelievable saves. Obviously, we still think it's a stonewall penalty [in the second-half]. I mean, Luke's been bashed up and he was taken out, kicked in the face. How that isn't a penalty, I have absolutely no idea.
"We were able just to pick ourselves up from that, never in any danger of losing this game today.
"I was quite happy with the performance. I thought we equipped ourselves really well and set the tone, as I said. But we just needed to get that breakthrough because then I felt we'd be able to manage the game out quite comfortably because they'd have to be a bit more expansive.
"When we scored, I think it became a bit open and we had any number of chances after that, that we only just needed to convert a couple of them to end the game.
"He's (Luke) been playing exceptionally well since he's come back into the fold. I've been really impressed with his work in pre-season and obviously on the training field. You know what you're going to get from Luke. He works absolutely to his maximum and I'm pleased for him because he's had a tough time but I think people can see the qualities that he has and how we're going to utilise him better maybe than he has been in the past.
"It's a good group at the moment and that's going to be important moving forward."
On Regan Linney's competitive debut, he said: "Regan, along with many others, affected the opposition in a positive way. He has that ability just to create a little bit of space and time to get shots off and that's a great trait to have. He's going to score a lot of goals at this level".
Ethan Robson doubled United's lead in superb fashion, dispatching a free-kick from the edge of the area.
"I think the bench was taking bets on who was going to get it, Whelo (Callum Whelan) or Robbo, but yeah, pleased for Ethan.
"He's come back into the fold and had a really good pre-season, got his head down and worked his way back into the fold and yeah, that was just a reward for his efforts all pre-season really.
"I thought the guys that were introduced were excellent and that's what we need.You don't come off the bench feeling sorry for yourself that you didn't start the game. People mention it and it wasn't myself that came up with it, but it's apt. We've got starters and finishers and they produced a great performance for finishers at the end. It enabled us to see the game out quite comfortably.
Stephen Wearne entered the action in the closing stages after missing out in pre-season.
"It was just unfortunate. He got a bad ankle strain in training in Cardiff and he'd just come back from obviously missing a little bit of training prior to that, so he was just ready to start playing the games and then obviously he got the injury. He's been back a couple of weeks now.
"He has the ability to take people on top end of the pitch and get something. Little half chances. I thought it'd cause them a real problem just because you give them a different problem."
Harvey Macadam also started the season opener following his announcement earlier today.
"We're pleased that we've been able to bring Harvey. He was tightening it up.
"The reason I felt I could play him today, he's had four 90 minutes in pre-season, so he was up to speed, but it's a little bit different when you're just training at the intensity that we train and what we expect.
"It's been difficult for him, but I thought he carried himself really well and once he gets up to speed he's going to be a big player for us.
Finally, on the 1,061 travelling Blues, Mark said "The support we get, we keep on saying it, but today was great because everybody's trekked down here. I think it took us about nine hours yesterday, so I'm sure lots of other Carlisle fans have had similar trips. To see so many here, it means a lot to the guys. That's why we went over and appreciated their support."
