Hull City 2-0 Manchester United: Ajayi 17, Mendy 38
Manchester United began the new season under Michael Carrick with a chastening 2-0 defeat at Hull as the promoted side exposed their opponents’ weakness at set pieces and secured a memorable return to the Premier League.
Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scored in the first half to give Sergej Jakirovic’s side a victory that was both unexpected and deserved.
Hull has been widely tipped for an immediate return to the Championship after winning the promotion play-offs, but they produced the sharper, more aggressive performance against a United side that looked sluggish and offered little threat.
Carrick, given the permanent job in May after taking United to third last season, had warned that the opening weeks could be difficult. The scale of the problems at the MKM Stadium, however, will have concerned the former midfielder, particularly given how easily Hull repeatedly threatened from dead-ball situations.
United were slow into the contest and struggled to impose themselves in possession. Hull sensed the weakness and applied pressure. Senne Lammens had already been called upon to deny Oli McBurnie before producing another save to keep out a dangerous Ryan Giles cross. The resulting corner exposed United’s defensive shortcomings. McBurnie was allowed room at the far side of the delivery and, after Lammens blocked his effort on the line, Ajayi reacted first to force the ball in.
McBurnie continued to occupy United’s defence with his physical presence and movement, Ayden Heaven enduring a torrid first day. At the other end, United lacked a focal point in attack, with Matheus Cunha, who was chosen as a false nine, frequently drifting away from the central areas.
Hull doubled their lead before the interval through another set-piece. Youri Tielemans conceded an unnecessary free-kick and Regan Slater delivered with enough quality to expose United once again. Mendy, making his debut, was left with the freedom to attack the ball and headed past Lammens from close range.
What a way to mark your debut 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Z37cxytP29
— Hull City (@HullCity) August 22, 2026
The second goal left Carrick with a substantial problem at half-time. He responded by replacing the cautioned Patrick Dorgu with Marcus Rashford, who returned wearing the No 9 shirt. But the change did little to improve a United performance that lacked urgency and fight.
Rashford at least gave the visitors greater purpose on the left. He repeatedly attempted to run at the Hull defence, but Jakirovic’s players remained organised and dealt with the increased threat without allowing United a clear route back into the match.
United’s frustration was underlined when Andrey Santos and Tielemans, two of the club’s major summer additions, were removed with 23 minutes remaining after struggling to influence the game.
Hull had little reason to take risks after the interval. They kept largely to a defensive shape and focused on protecting their lead. It didn’t take too much to keep United out.
