Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic kept his tactical strategies to dismantle Manchester United a secret for weeks, as revealed by assistant head coach Dean Holden on Match of the Day. The Tigers marked their return to the Premier League with an impressive 2-0 victory over Michael Carrick’s team on Saturday, utilizing a back five system.

This victory is particularly significant as it marks Hull’s first appearance in the Premier League in nine years, having ascended from the Championship through the play-offs last season.

First-half goals from defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy provided Hull with their first league win over United since 1974.

Jakirovic adjusted his approach after analyzing several pre-season matches of United, including a 4-2 loss to AC Milan, where United’s defense struggled to adapt to quick switches to wing-backs.

When asked about their game plan, Holden stated on Match of the Day, “We certainly didn’t copy Ruben Amorim. Serg had it in the back of his mind for three or four weeks that he was thinking of playing a back five. He didn’t want to give anything away in pre-season, so we played a back four.”

He added, “The easiest thing to do in preparation was using some of the Milan clips and Leeds the week before played a back three too, so that helped us with players where the systems looked similar.”

Hull’s victory is especially impressive considering they held only 28% possession during the match. However, Holden expressed confidence in their playstyle. “We are comfortable without the ball, so it is not like we are coming up here having dominated the Championship and now we have to change,” he remarked.

Holden highlighted that their strength lies in their ability to play in a mid-block and counter-attack effectively, stating, “Sunderland set the trend with Leeds in terms of teams who have come up, and for us, it is about belief.”

Despite being seen as early favorites to finish at the bottom of the Premier League, having barely secured a play-off position on the last day of the previous season, Hull became the first team in 16 years to finish sixth and win the play-offs, defeating Middlesbrough in the final.

A mere 15 months ago, the Tigers fought against relegation to League One, only managing to remain in the Championship on goal difference in the 2024-25 season. Remarkably, three players who participated in the crucial 1-1 draw against Portsmouth, which confirmed their status in the Championship, also started against United.

Holden, who had previously managed Oldham Athletic, Bristol City, and Charlton, joined Hull this season. He emphasized, “We are aiming to stay in the league. It is the hardest thing to do and then you build on top of that.” He added, “But a win at home in the first game is beyond anyone’s dreams really. The performance is the biggest thing; the confidence and the belief will stand us in good stead.”

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic kept his plan to topple Manchester United on their Premier League return under wraps for weeks, assistant head coach Dean Holden told Match of the Day.

The Tigers produced a sensational 2-0 opening-weekend win over Michael Carrick’s side on Saturday while deploying a back five.

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Hull were making their first Premier League appearance in nine years after coming up through the play-offs last year.

First-half goals from defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy gave them their first league win over United since 1974.

Jakirovic altered his tactics for the game, having watched a couple of United’s pre-season matches, including the 4-2 defeat by AC Milan, engineered by former boss Ruben Amorim, when he repeatedly switched play to his wing-backs, which United’s defence failed to cover.

When quizzed on the tactic, Holden told Match of Day: “We certainly didn’t copy Ruben Amorim.

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“Serg had it in the back of his mind for three or four weeks that he was thinking of playing a back five. He didn’t want to give anything away in pre-season, so we played a back four.

“The easiest thing to do in preparation was using some of the Milan clips and Leeds the week before played a back three too, so that helped us with players where the systems looked similar.”

Hull’s win over United, who finished third in the Premier League last season, is perhaps even more remarkable given the Tigers only had 28% of possession.

But seeing limited amounts of the ball is not a cause for concern for Hull says Holden.

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“We are comfortable without the ball, so it is not like we are coming up here having dominated the Championship and now we have to change,” said Holden.

“We are comfortable in that mid-block, that is one of our biggest strengths. Counter-attack as well.

“Sunderland set the trend with Leeds in terms of teams who have come up, and for us, it is about belief.

“We have a group of lads who have done the hard yards, there is no real superstars in there.

“The manager is the same, very humble. Feet will be firmly on the ground.”

Jakirovic’s Hull were favourites to finish bottom of the Premier League, having only squeezed into the play-offs on the final day of last season.

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They then became the first team to finish sixth and win the play-offs in 16 years – beating Middlesbrough in the final.

Just 15 months ago the Tigers had been close to being relegated to League One, only staying in the Championship on goal difference in 2024-25.

Three of the team who started their 1-1 draw against Portsmouth on the final day that secured their Championship status were in the team which beat United.

Former Oldham Athletic, Bristol City and Charlton manager Holden joined the Tigers that summer.

“We are aiming to stay in the league. It is the hardest thing to do and then you build on top of that,” Holden added.

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“But a win at home in the first game is beyond anyone’s dreams really. The performance is the biggest thing, the confidence, the belief, will stand us in good stead.”