Hull made a dream return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence, beating Manchester United 2-0 on Saturday to puncture any preseason optimism surrounding the 20-time champions.
First-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy at set-pieces consigned United to a tepid loss to a team that was promoted via the second-tier Championship playoffs at the end of last season and is widely expected to be among the relegation candidates.
United finished third last season to secure a return to the Champions League, rewarding interim manager Michael Carrick with a full-time contract as well as a new midfield in Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Marcus Rashford has come back from a loan spell at Barcelona and came on as a half-time substitute.
It struggled to impress along with many other players in a lackluster team display that showed United — last a Premier League champion in 2013 under Alex Ferguson — still has far to go to recapture its former glories and is unlikely to challenge for the title, at least on this evidence anyway.
Hull City vs Manchester United player ratings
Manchester United: Senne Lammens (6/10), Noussair Mazraoui (7/10), Harry Maguire (6.9/10), Ayden Heaven (6.7/10), Luke Shaw (7.1/10), Andrey Santos (6.8/10), Youri Tielemans (7/10), Bryan Mbeumo (7/10), Bruno Fernan (7/10), Bruno Fernan (7/10). Dorgu (6/10), Matheus Cunha (6.6/10).
Subs: Marcus Rashford (6.6/10), Kobbie Mainoo (6.2/10), Benjamin Šeško (6/10), Diogo Dalot (7/10), Shea Lacey (6.1/10).
Hull City: Konstantinos Tzolakis (8/10), Lewie Coyle (7/10), Semi Ajayi (8/10), John Egan (8/10), Nobel Mendy (8/10), Ryan Giles (7/10), Matt Crooks (7/10), Regan Slater (7/10), Mohamed Belloumi (7/10), Oliver McBurnie (7/10), Ryan Stroud (7/10).
Subs: Lucas Herrington (6/10), Paddy McNair (6/10), Cody Drameh (6/10), Liam Millar (6/10), Matt Targett (6/10).
(With inputs from Agencies)
Published on Aug 22, 2026
