Hull City stun Manchester United in humiliating Premier League opening-day defeat

Manchester United suffered a humiliating 2-0 defeat by promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, with first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy exposing serious weaknesses in Michael Carrick’s side.

Hull City, back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, produced a vibrant performance despite being without 10 players because of injury.

The result marks a deeply disappointing start to the campaign for Manchester United, who are expected to challenge Arsenal for the title after finishing third last season. There was little evidence in East Yorkshire that Carrick’s team are ready to compete with the reigning champions.

Former England captain and BBC pundit Alan Shearer described United’s display in damning terms.

“Man United have been shocking, no hunger, they’ve been terrible,” he said.

Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos endured anonymous debuts in midfield after joining from Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively, while United’s defence struggled throughout the afternoon.

Carrick had dismissed suggestions that United had been given a favourable start to the season. Their opening fixture at Hull is followed by a home match against Ipswich, another newly promoted side.

The manager’s warning that Hull would provide a difficult test proved accurate.

United began positively, with Luke Shaw’s cross finding Bryan Mbeumo, whose powerful effort was saved by Hull’s debutant goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.

Tzolakis was called into action again soon afterwards, producing a full-length stop to keep out a low shot from Matheus Cunha after Noussair Mazraoui had created the opening.

Hull soon demonstrated that they could threaten at the other end. Ryan Giles delivered a cross towards Oli McBurnie, whose header forced a good save from Senne Lammens.

United’s vulnerability from set-pieces was punished in the 17th minute. McBurnie escaped loose marking at a Hull corner before striking towards goal. Lammens could only parry the ball, allowing Nigeria defender Ajayi to score from close range.

The goal, Hull’s first in the Premier League for nine years, sparked jubilant scenes among the orange-and-black supporters inside the MKM Stadium.

United had a chance to respond when Patrick Dorgu received a pass from Harry Maguire, but he dragged his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.

Instead, Hull doubled their advantage in the 38th minute. Regan Slater’s accurately delivered free-kick was not dealt with by a disorganised United defence, and Senegal defender Mendy powered a header beyond Lammens.

As the home fans sang “you’re getting mauled by the Tigers”, Carrick appeared shell-shocked on the touchline.

The United manager introduced Marcus Rashford at half-time in an attempt to change the game. The England forward, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona, was unable to inspire a comeback.

Hull continued to look the more dangerous team after the break, with Mohamed Belloumi sending a long-range effort narrowly wide.

Tielemans and Santos were both substituted midway through the second half, but United did not improve and surrendered meekly.

Carrick’s composed management during his interim spell, following Ruben Amorim’s turbulent reign, played a significant part in United’s revival last season. Now appointed permanent manager, he faces much greater expectations as he attempts to deliver the club’s first English title since 2013.

Carrick has been seeking further reinforcements and Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. After this performance, he is likely to demand more additions.

Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic had argued this week that his side could defy the predictions of pundits who had written them off as relegation favourites. Hull secured promotion after becoming the first club since Blackpool in 2010 to finish sixth in the Championship and go up through the play-offs.

Their first victory over Manchester United since 2017 will have exceeded even Jakirovic’s expectations.