Manchester United stunned by Hull on opening day of Premier League

LAST UPDATE | 6 mins ago

Hull City 2

Manchester United 0 

MANCHESTER UNITED MADE a nightmare start to the new season as promoted Hull confounded their many doubters by securing a shock 2-0 victory on their Premier League return.

Sergej Jakirovic’s play-off winners were written off by nearly every pundit before a ball was kicked, with former England international Joe Cole saying an immediate Championship return is certain, causing anger among the home fans.

Such naysayers will have been rubbing their eyes in disbelief on Saturday lunchtime as the unfancied Tigers roared to a remarkable, and thoroughly deserved, opening weekend win courtesy of a pair of first half set pieces.

Semi Ajayi opened the scoring after United failed to deal with a corner and Michael Carrick’s men were again found wanting when Regan Slater sent in a free-kick for debutant Nobel Mendy to nod home.

The Red Devils boss, handed the permanent job in May, warned of a challenging start in East Yorkshire but he could not have foreseen such a meek display from his side months after finishing third.

Carrick has plenty to mull over following United’s alarming first ever Premier League loss to Hull, whose first top-flight match since 2017 will live long in the memory.

‘One family, one dream’ read the flags placed on seats around the MKM Stadium 13 weeks on from the play-off final win against Middlesbrough.

The togetherness, spirit and momentum from that unlikely promotion helped City roar out of the blocks as Jakirovic’s Tigers immediately made life difficult for United.

Oli McBurnie would have nodded Hull into a fifth minute lead was it not for a smart clearance, with the striker soon seeing a booming header denied by Senne Lammens.

Debutant Konstantinos Tzolakis brilliantly stopped a Bryan Mbeumo effort between those chances but United offered little else and Lammens soon had to tip over a Ryan Giles cross-shot.

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The resulting 17th minute corner sparked bedlam. Slater’s driven ball was flicked on and McBurnie saw an effort superbly pushed onto the far post by Lammens, only for the ball to fall for Ajayi to slam home.

It was an astonishing moment that the ineffective Patrick Dorgu tried to cancel out, but a passive United lacked a focal point and Hull would punish them from another set piece.

Debutant Youri Tielemans brought down Mohamed Belloumi outside the box and Slater whipped in a fine free-kick that Mendy headed beyond Lammens in the 38th minute.

“You’re getting mauled by the Tigers” chanted gleeful Hull fans, who took aim at dismissive pundit Cole and playfully sang about winning the league.

City were given a standing ovation at the break and United turned to Marcus Rashford, who made his first competitive appearance for the club in 618 days.

Carrick had hoped to change the dynamics, but Hull continued to keep the visitors at arm’s length and looked primed to break given the chance.

McBurnie’s dancing feet on one such break showed their confidence, as did Belloumi’s rising effort from distance just after the hour mark.

Goalscoring debutant Mendy limped off for the hosts and Carrick turned to his bench, including introducing Benjamin Sesko.

Substitute Cody Drameh fired just wide as Hull sought a third, with Mbeumo lifting over before seeing another effort denied by Tzolakis.

Former Hull defender Maguire was denied as United tried and failed to avoid a humiliating opening weekend loss.

Written by Press Association and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.