- Hull City, who had the fourth worst defensive record in the Championship last season, hosted Manchester United in the Premier League opener.
- Semi Ajayi scored his first Premier League goal since January 2021 to put Hull ahead.
- Nobel Mendy headed a debut goal from a Regan Slater free-kick to make it 2-0.
- Manchester United's debutants Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans were withdrawn after struggling.
- Marcus Rashford came on at half-time for his first appearance since December 2024.
- Hull held on for a 2-0 victory, leaving United to ponder further squad changes.
- Hull City had a challenging season last year, finishing with the fourth worst defensive record in the Championship.
- Manchester United faced criticism for their performance, particularly regarding their new signings.
Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy propelled Hull City to a remarkable 2-0 victory over Manchester United in their Premier League opener, showcasing a strong defensive performance.123678
Ajayi scored the opener, capitalizing on a rebound after Oli McBurnie's effort was blocked, marking his first Premier League goal since January 2021.
Mendy followed suit, netting a debut goal from a well-placed free-kick by Regan Slater, sealing the win for Hull. The Tigers, who had the fourth worst defensive record in the Championship last season, displayed resilience, content to defend their lead in the second half.
Meanwhile, Manchester United's new signings, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, struggled to make an impact, leading to their substitutions with 23 minutes remaining. The combined £85 million investment in these players raised concerns about the squad's depth and performance.4
United's performance was reminiscent of their previous struggles under former management, leaving fans questioning the team's direction.
Hull's victory marks a significant achievement as they aim to establish themselves in the Premier League, while United faces scrutiny as they seek to rebound from this disappointing start.
“Hull's victory was built on set-piece dominance, with Regan Slater's free-kick setting up Mendy's debut goal. United's new signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, costing a combined £85m, were withdrawn after failing to impose themselves, while Marcus Rashford made his first appearance since December 2024.”
The Guardian
