Newly promoted Hull City shocked Manchester United with a 2-0 victory on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
First half goals from Semi Ajayi and club record signing Nobel Mendy secured Hull their first ever Premier League win over the 20-time English champions at the MKM Stadium.
The defeat represents a serious setback for United manager Michael Carrick. The former midfielder had lost only two of his 17 games after taking charge at Old Trafford in January, but his side were passive in possession and vulnerable defensively.
The afternoon may have reminded Carrick of August 2009, when he missed a penalty in an embarrassing defeat at Burnley during the first away game of the season. The performance also carried echoes of United's heavy four goal defeat at Brentford four years ago.
Hull owner Acun Ilicali, the Turkish media executive, and head coach Sergej Jakirovic celebrated a memorable afternoon. Their team secured promotion back to the top flight in May by beating Middlesbrough in the Championship playoff final, and they outfought their illustrious opponents throughout.
Summer spending
Hull spent 70 million pounds this summer to recruit 12 new players for their top flight return. Manchester United are spending the same amount on a single player, Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, who arrived too late to start the opening fixture.
Following a summer of guarded optimism, United instead handed debuts to midfield signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Both men failed to launch and were substituted midway through the second half, eclipsed by the Hull pairing of Matt Crooks and Regan Slater.
Slater, who joined Hull from Sheffield United for 50,000 pounds in 2022, created both goals.
United's failure to complete their transfer business became a major talking point. The visitors missed a new striker and lacked defensive cover for full back Luke Shaw.
Carrick had previously dismissed suggestions that a trip to Hull represented an easy start to the campaign, and he had warned earlier in the week that calling United title contenders was a jump. On this evidence, such talk appeared entirely misplaced.
First half dominance
Eight of the players who started Hull's playoff final victory retained their places against United, making their first Premier League appearance for nine years. The other three starters were new signings, including Mendy and Greek goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
The opening goal arrived in the 17th minute following a corner. Bryan Mbeumo lost possession in midfield with a moment of indecision, allowing Hull to break. Ryan Giles forced a save from United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who tipped the ball over the crossbar.
From the resulting set piece, Slater crossed from the left and John Egan flicked the ball on. Striker Oli McBurnie fired a shot from a tight angle that Lammens saved on the line, pushing it against the post. The ball fell loose to the unmarked Ajayi, who converted.
Hull doubled their advantage after 38 minutes from another set piece. Slater whipped an inviting free kick into the penalty area, and Mendy stole in front of Shaw to power a header past Lammens.
The home crowd erupted in rapture while United fell into disarray. Jakirovic revealed his coaching staff had identified a flaw in United's system for defending set pieces.
"It's a secret," Jakirovic grinned. "We tried something on Friday. My assistants saw this. We had some plans there to try to punish them, how they stand at a wide free kick."
Tactical adjustments
The Hull manager also outmanoeuvred Carrick by deploying a five man defence. Jakirovic said the switch was primarily designed to counter Shaw playing higher up the pitch and to thwart United's attempt to flood the midfield.
The tactic succeeded, with United looking particularly vulnerable when Hull fed their wingbacks in wide areas. Hull repeatedly muscled United off the ball, an advantage epitomised by McBurnie dominating his physical battles with Ayden Heaven.
Carrick had been forced into a change of plan before kickoff after Amad Diallo suffered a minor injury in training. The setback meant Mbeumo, who played centrally during preseason, was moved back to the right flank.
Mbeumo registered United's two best chances, but both efforts were well saved by Tzolakis. Hull managed to keep a clean sheet despite having eight injuries in their squad.
Jakirovic praised his new goalkeeper, who was unfazed by the occasion. "He played under huge stress and pressure at Olympiakos, so for him this was like a cup of tea," Jakirovic smiled, sipping from an imaginary mug.
Attacking struggles
Elsewhere in the United attack, Matheus Cunha started at centre forward but lacked any punch. Patrick Dorgu endured a particularly difficult afternoon and was replaced at half time by Marcus Rashford.
Rashford, making his first competitive appearance for United since December 2024, wore the number nine shirt but could not change the momentum of the match.
Carrick introduced Benjamin Sesko, Kobbie Mainoo and Shea Lacey off the bench in the second half, but the visitors never looked capable of avoiding their first league defeat to Hull since 1974.
The result delighted the home supporters, who mocked former England international Joe Cole after the pundit had tipped Hull for relegation.
The festive atmosphere inside the stadium continued when the matchday announcer informed the travelling supporters, with barely concealed relish, that two trains back to Manchester had been cancelled.
Hull fans taunted their rivals by chanting that they would be going home in a taxi, though most of the away end had already emptied before the final whistle blew.
Carrick stressed after the match that it was only one game, but the manager will face intense pressure if his team lose to newly promoted Ipswich Town at Old Trafford next weekend.
