Hull City Secures Impressive 2-0 Victory Over Manchester United in Premier League Opener
Manchester United suffered a setback in the opening match of the 2026-27 Premier League season, conceding two goals from set pieces in a 2-0 defeat against newly promoted Hull City on Saturday.
LIVE BLOG UPDATES — Hull 2-0 Man United
Advertisement
Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy found the net for Hull, who marked their return to the top tier for the first time since 2017.
For Michael Carrick, now the permanent manager, this was not the ideal start. Although Manchester United began brightly with some effective possession play, Hull’s set-piece specialist Regan Slater excelled, assisting both goals before halftime. Ajayi opened the scoring with a corner kick that was scrambled in, followed by Mendy’s goal from a well-placed free kick at the back post.
Relegation Favorites Hull Impress in Premier League Return
Hull City entered the season as almost unanimous picks for relegation, having not played in the Premier League for a decade. However, under manager Sergej Jakirovic, the team did not shy away from the occasion. They deployed a solid five-man backline, with every player contributing to a strong defensive effort. The squad featured skilled crossers, a robust target man in Oli McBurnie, and a solid trio of center backs, making them a persistent threat during set pieces.
While their style may not always be aesthetically pleasing, Hull displayed the determination needed to fight against relegation and aim to remain competitive this season.
Manchester United conceded two goals from set pieces and were beaten 2-0 by newly promoted Hull City as the 2026-27 Premier League season kicked off on Saturday.
LIVE BLOG UPDATES — Hull 2-0 Man United
Advertisement
Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scored the goals for Hull, who made their return to the top flight for the first time since 2017.
Not the start that Michael Carrick, now in charge on a permanent basis, wanted. The Red Devils were on the front foot and played some pretty possession football to start, but Hull’s set-piece specialist Regan Slater had himself a day and set up both goals before halftime. First, it was a corner kick touched on and scrambled home by Ajayi, and then a brilliant free kick to the back post for Mendy redirect it home.
Relegation favorites Hull impress in Premier League return
Hull City were virtually unanimously chosen to finish 20th this season, a decade on from their last stint in the PL, but Sergej Jakirovic’s side looked anything but a newly promoted side overawed by the occasion. It was a true five-man backline for the Tigers but everyone does their part defensively. They have a few fantastic crossers in the team (from open play and dead balls), Oli McBurnie is still a tough-as-nails target man, and having three big center backs on the field at all times will make them a constant threat from set pieces.
It’s not going to be pretty or fanciful often, but Hull look like a team with the fighting spirit required to have a real go at avoiding relegation and staying up this season.
[/gpt3]