Newly-promoted Hull City produced a shock on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign by defeating Manchester United 2-0 at MKM Stadium.
First-half goals from defenders Nobel Mendy and Semi-Ajayi earned Hull, who were promoted via the Championship play-offs last season, a thoroughly deserved victory in what was their first English top-flight match since 2017.
Hull's Bosnian manager Sergej Jakirovic set his team up with a back five that completely nullified United's attack, even with the second-half introduction of Marcus Rashford who was making his first appearance for the Red Devils since December 2024 following loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona.
Jakirovic had vowed ahead of the game to silence his team's critics who have dismissed the Tigers as relegation cannon fodder and he did that in style by brushing aside a team who finished in third place last season.
On Friday night, Championship title winners Coventry City had been well beaten by Arsenal, with the defending champions winning 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium. But there would be no such result for Hull, who finished sixth in the second tier but defeated Middlesbrough in the play-off final to earn promotion.
Next up for Hull is a League Cup second round match away to to Stoke City on Tuesday followed by a Premier League trip to Coventry next Saturday. Michael Carrick's United side will look to pick themselves up when they face Everton on Merseyside in the league next Sunday.
What they said:
Hull City captain Louis Coyle: “The noise speaks for itself. Before we went to bed last night we couldn’t have dreamt it any better. It'll be a shock to people, I’m not saying it’s how I thought it would go, but this team’s got something special in terms of character, resilience, and we know what we’re doing.
“We know we’re going to get chances on the break. You’re against a fantastic side and we know that’s the minimum it’s going to take. So, so proud of the boys for what we achieved last year. We’re not just here to make the numbers up – we’re here to stay in this division. What an incredible start for the boys.”
Man United captain Bruno Fernandes: “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 had more touches on the ball, too much time. We need to press a little bit more, be more aggressive, and set-plays – we need to work on it, to be more aggressive and try not to concede these types of goals.
“We understand the frustration [of supporters], every season at the start we want to compete and win every game but we need the fans on our side, and to believe in ourselves.”
Hull City ratings:
Konstantinos Tzolakis – 8/10: Greek international goalkeeper called into action with regulation early saves from Mbeumo and Cunha. Next big stop didn't arrive until 77th minute when he denied Mbeumo again. Very assured on debut.
Nobel Mendy – 7/10: Club-record signing looked shaky early on, bizarrely allowing one cross to bounce in box gifting chance to Mbuemo. Headed home Hull's second goal in style. Limped off injured in second half.
John Egan – 8/10: Experienced defender was last man standing when both his central-defensive partners – Mendy and Ajayi – were forced off in second half. Stood firm against everything United's array of attackers threw at him.
Semi Ajayi – 8/10: Big defender thumped Hull into lead with close range finish after Lemmens kept out McBurnie effort. Was Tigers' first Premier League goal since May 21, 2017. Also came off due to injury.
Lewis Coyle – 8/10: Hull's captain sent over superb early cross from right that almost saw McBurnie open scoring. Became third Hull player to come off injured, earning a thoroughly-deserved standing ovation from home fans after usual committed display.
Matt Crooks – 7/10: Midfielder picked up first-half booking for foul not long after Hull went 2-0 up. Almost clean through on goal after superb Belloumi ball over top but denied by Lammens coming out of goal to sweep up.
Regan Slater – 8/10: Superb whipped-in free-kick earned assist for Mendy's goal. Relentless in his pressing of opposition. Impressive shift.
Ryan Giles – 8/10: Produced two crosses in matter of minutes in first half that almost led to goals, one ending in McBurnie header being saved, the other almost flying straight into net. Crossing was constant threat.
Elliot Stroud – 7/10: Making his debut on the left, Sweden international looked comfortable on the ball from start. A solid first game for 24-year-old summer signing from Swedish top-flight side Mjallby.
Mohamed Belloumi – 7/10: Tricky Algerian winger was tripped on edge of box by Tielemens with resulting free-kick resulting in goal. Curled long-range effort over bar. Some flashes of real quality and quick feet who could be an exciting player this season for Hull.
Ollie McBurnie – 9/10: Hull's play-off final goal hero saw header saved before goalkeeper Lemmens then somehow kept out his close-range shot that saw Mendy score from rebound. All-action performance from Scottish striker that included skipping past three United challenges in one second-half surge forward.
Substitutes:
Lucas Herrington (On for Mendy, 63') – 7/10: Teenage defender, who played in World Cup for Australia, came on for debut after moving from MLS in summer. Didn't put foot wrong.
Paddy McNair (On for Ajayi, 64') – 7/10: Former Man United defender brought on as Hull lost both goalscorers to injury and slotted straight into what was an impressive Hull defensive performance.
Liam Miller (On for Stroud, 70') – 7/10: Canadian winger tarted career at United's fierce rivals Liverpool and helped Hull seal all three points. Booked for late dive.
Cody Drameh (On for Coyle, 70') – 7/10: Inches from making it 3-0 minutes after coming on as he drilled low effort just wide of post.
Matt Targett (On for Giles, 85') – N/A.
Man United ratings:
Senne Lammens – 6/10: Diving save from McBurnie just before 15-minute mark, then tipped over a shot from Adam two minutes later. Then again from McBurnie before the Tigers opening goal from one of the many crosses slung in.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5/10: Top defending at the back post after four minutes to head a ball away from Hull’s first attack, yet United were twice undone with goals from set plays and the Moroccan twice gave the ball away.
Harry Maguire – 6 /10: Great cross just before half-hour but Dorgu couldn’t quite get on to it. Ran behind defenders against his former club and was the team’s main attacking threat.
Ayden heaven – 5/10: Chastening first half when two Hull central defenders both scored. McBurnie had the better of him in the build-up to the opening goal. Inexperience was exploited.
Luke Shaw – 5/10: High ball into Hull’s box which Mbeumo met after 12. Vital defending stopping Belloumi down right and tried to get wide to give United width. Booked.
Andrey Santos – 4/10: Ineffective United Premier League debut for the Brazilian, who gave up possession and fouls too easily. United had 72 per cent of possession but most of that came after the team were 2-0 down.
Youri Tielemans – 5/10: Too many poor touches in a first half where Hull won more tackles and duals. Nutmegged in first half and gave away a foul which led to a free-kick and the second goal. Disappointing debut.
Patrick Dorgu – 4/10: Squezed a ball through Egan’s legs towards goal, had a tussle with the goalkeeper and almost got on to a Maguire cross. All within the first 30 minutes. Booked for a yellow card challenge on Crooks. Often the most advanced player, yet limited influence on the game.
Bruno Fernandes – 5/10: Little space to create and his team simply couldn’t generate proper chances. Desperate shot on target just before hour. Crosses to nothing. Usually inspires. Not today.
Bryan Mbeumo – 6/10: Had first proper effort on target and he was United’s main threat in the first half. Saw bicycle-kick towards goal blocked but United were poor up front and created little. Leaned back and curled a shot well over on 75, then ran and had strike saved two minutes later.
Matheus Cunha – 5/10: Quiet and of little threat. Played centre-forward and had one shot on target. Dropped deeper in a congested forward area where United struggled to create proper chances.
Substitutes:
Marcus Rashford (On for Dorgu, 46') – 6/10: First minutes in red since 2024. Positive, direct start and linked better with Shaw than Dorgu had done. Good ball to Sesko with 10 minutes left.
Kobbie Mainoo (On for Tielemans, 67') – 5/10: Played one poor, square pass which led to a Hull attack. Lacking match fitness.
Benjamin Sesko (On for Santos, 67') – 4/10: He scored 10 in 15 final games last season and gave United a belated focal point, but did little with it. United had 39 crosses. And most were easily dealt with.
Diogo Dalot (On for Mazraoui, 81') – N/A.
Shea Lacey (On for Cunha, 81') – N/A.
