Hull City vs Manchester United; Premier League
Hull City vs Manchester United. Premier League.
MKM Stadium.
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Hull City 2-0 Man Utd: Michael Carrick's side left stunned by newly-promoted Tigers in Premier League opener
Report as Hull City beat Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium; first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy left Utd stunned at Premier League new boys; it leaves Michael Carrick's side under pressure after one game, with calls for further United reinforcements in transfer window
Saturday 22 August 2026 15:34, UK
A lacklustre Man Utd were left stunned as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Hull City in their Premier League season opener at the MKM Stadium.
There was plenty of optimism around United, who finished last season strongly under Michael Carrick, heading into the season, but that bubble was quickly burst in Hull as Semi Ajayi capitalised on defensive issues (17) to poke home the opener from close range.
In an interview before the game, Hull owner Acun Ilicali revelled in the fact everyone was writing his side off this season and backed by a buoyant atmosphere, the Tigers, who were playing in the top-flight for the first time since 2017, played with real confidence. Physically, Man Utd struggled to cope with the intensity Hull were playing at.
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Every time Hull went forward, Man Utd looked unsure at the back, and the pressure eventually told again as Nobel Mendy powered a header past Senne Lammens to double the lead (38).
Carrick sent for Marcus Rashford for the second half - his first competitive appearance for United in 618 days - but the England forward's introduction didn't have the desired impact.
Man Utd's only real chance in the second half came through Bryan Mbeumo, but his shot was was well saved by goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
In reality, Man Utd hardly laid a glove on Hull, who looked comfortable as they cruised to a first Premier League victory over United that leaves Carrick already looking for answers, with Sky Sports readers calling for defensive reinforcements with around 10 days remaining in the transfer window.
Your views: Same old Man Utd...
Clive228: Until Manchester United sign better defenders then they will not make progress. This obsession with signing midfielders and strikers when our defence is broken is ridiculous. We should be going all out and bringing in Quansah.
Tom: Michael Carrick won't last six months if this carries on.
Adam Probert: Hull have been unbelievable, but same old Man Utd.
Rambo741: Manchester United must splash the cash on a top central defender and full backs. That was awful.
GDM: The quality of defenders at Man Utd will cost Carrick his job this season.
Tom: I told you. False dawn for Man Utd. Embarrassing.
Dan: Different season, same story for Man Utd. Problems are never fixed at this club. Michael Carrick is already under massive pressure.
Ethan: Credit to Hull but as a United fan this story is a common theme. No backing in the window and then we struggle throughout the league against not as good teams. It is going to be a tough couple of months.
The key moments from the MKM Stadium
13: SAVE! Tzolakis is forced into action, pulling off a one-handed save to keep out Mbeumo's half-volley.
15: SAVE! With the game opening up, Lammens dives at full stretch to push away McBurnie's header.
17: GOAL! Lift-off for Hull on their Premier League return as Ajayi scores from close range to give them the lead.
38: GOAL! More defensive problems for Man Utd as Mendy's header doubles Hull's lead before the break.
46: SUB! Rashford replaces Dorgu at half-time to make his first competitive appearance for United in 618 days.
78: SAVE! Man Utd's only real chance of the second half through Mbeumo on the break, but Tzolakis stands up to keep out the winger's shot.
Boyd: Outstanding Hull fully worth their win
Sky Sports' Kris Boyd on Soccer Saturday:
"Hull were outstanding, they defended really well and restricted Man Utd to very little, but you have to carry a threat at the top end of the pitch as well and Oli McBurnie was outstanding. He led the line, held the ball up, got his team free kicks when he had to and was a constant threat all afternoon.
"All round, really, really good from Hull City and if you go back to the start of last season, they started the Championship as favourites to go down under a transfer embargo and on the opening weekend of the Premier League, they have just beaten Man Utd. And that will be full crisis mode activated at Man Utd now after one game..."
Carrick: Opener was 'never going to be perfect'
Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick on TNT Sport:
"Some of it was OK, there's bits to improve on. It was never going to be perfect, but going behind and giving ourselves a lot to do makes it more difficult.
"It was a typical one of those games, with a newly-promoted team at home. You can't give them much, they've got a lot to hold on to. After that, we had moments and opportunities but we didn't have the spark to put the chances away or create any more.
"We're bitterly disappointed with the result, but we won't let it knock us."
Fernandes: 'Same mistakes as last season'
Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes on TNT Sport:
"Same mistakes as we did last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to them. In the first 20 minutes, the goalkeeper was the one with the most touches. We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals.
"Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment. We knew before the game set-pieces would be a big part of their game. They played all pre-season with a back four but had a five against us for some height, for these moments."
On the frustration of the fans, he added: "I understand the frustration. Every season that starts, we want to compete and go as forward as we can, winning every game.
"We need them on our side, like last season, believing in us. We know we need more from ourselves too."
Ajayi: Hull not focused on the outside noise
Hull City defender Semi Ajayi to TNT Sports on his goal:
"It was amazing, it capped off a great start that we had had. I was buzzing to get the goal that got us on our way. I didn't really care if any of us scored, there was no VAR check so I was buzzing that we got the goal."
On proving people wrong, he added: "We're not focused on outside noise, we back ourselves to do well and hopefully we will have a really positive season."
