Manchester United beaten 2-0 by Hull City in Premier League opener

Manchester United began their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Hull City, with Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Noble Mendy scoring in a disciplined performance from the hosts.

United dominated possession and territory for long periods but were unable to convert their opportunities at the MKM Stadium. Hull defended in numbers and threatened on the counter, while goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis produced several important saves to preserve his side’s advantage.

The opening goal came after 15 minutes. Hull won a corner from the left and, although United initially managed to clear the delivery, the ball returned to the home side. Oluwasemilogo Ajayi reacted quickest and finished into the net as the visitors’ defence struggled to reorganise.

United responded with sustained pressure. Matheus Cunha tested Tzolakis with a low effort from the edge of the penalty area, but the shot lacked sufficient power for the goalkeeper. Brian Mbeumo then drove towards the bottom-left corner, only for Tzolakis to make an excellent stop.

Patrick Dorgu missed two promising chances for United. On one occasion he moved past a Hull defender before shooting wide of the right post, while another effort went narrowly beyond the left post.

Hull goalkeeper Senne Lammens was also called upon during the opening half. He made a fine save to deny Oliver McBurnie, whose header from close to the penalty spot appeared to be heading towards the right-hand post. Lammens also comfortably collected a long ball from Mohamed Belloumi.

United continued to see more of the ball, recording possession figures of 65% to Hull’s 35% during one period of the first half. However, their attempts to build through Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans were repeatedly interrupted by a well-organised Hull defence.

Tzolakis again denied United shortly before the interval when Matheus Cunha rose near the penalty spot to direct a header towards the right corner. The Hull goalkeeper reacted quickly and held the ball securely.

Hull doubled their lead in the second half through Noble Mendy. Regan Slater delivered a short free-kick from near the penalty area and Mendy met it with a powerful finish that found the net.

United attempted to reduce the deficit, with Luke Shaw and Mbeumo supplying crosses into the area, but Hull’s defenders repeatedly cleared the danger. Aiden Heaven headed wide from near the penalty spot, while a Mbeumo volley was blocked and diverted behind for a corner.

Mbeumo came closest to getting United back into the contest when he raced into space and struck towards the left post. Tzolakis produced another strong save, turning the attempt behind for a corner.

United had 18 attempts to Hull’s eight by the end of the match, and held 69% possession compared with Hull’s 31% in the second half. Despite that statistical advantage, they struggled to create clear openings.

Hull made a series of changes, including a forced third substitution after Levi Colwill suffered an injury, while United also used all five substitutions. The visitors were further frustrated by an offside decision against Harry Maguire and a separate offside call against Mbeumo.

Fernandes tried to find a way through with long passes and set-pieces, but Hull continued to block the routes into the penalty area. Shaw’s deliveries were collected or cleared, and one Fernandes cross from the right was sent out for a throw-in.

Six minutes of added time were played at the end of the second half, but United could not find a response. Hull held on to complete a 2-0 victory in the opening week of the Premier League season.