Hull City’s assistant head coach Dean Holden participated in the Monday Night Club this week, offering insights into the team’s strategy as they prepare for the Premier League. He emphasized that Hull will adopt a playing style that makes them tough opponents, ready to switch to a direct approach when necessary.

With their season opener at home against Manchester United, a positive result could set the tone for Hull’s campaign. Holden expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, noting his admiration for United.

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While Hull is expected to be competitive, concerns arise from their previous season, where they lost one-third of their matches in the Championship. The story of head coach Sergej Jakirovic, who guided the team from 21st place to the play-offs, adds layers of intrigue as they now aim to establish themselves in the Premier League.

Manchester United has had a quiet summer in the transfer market. However, the addition of Youri Tielemans represents a savvy move by the club, similar to their signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo last year.

With the challenges of competing in the Champions League ahead, some analysts feel that United’s previous manager, Carrick, may have overachieved by leading them to this point. Expectations continue to mount after their third-place finish last season, but they currently lag behind Arsenal.

The impact of European competition on teams like Tottenham and Chelsea—who do not have a similar commitment—could significantly influence the season. This, along with concerns about United’s squad depth, is part of why some experts do not include them in their top-four predictions.

Hull City’s quest for a win to kick off their season represents the beginning of a challenging journey that will require smart adjustments in their roster as the competition intensifies.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Hull City’s assistant head coach Dean Holden came on the Monday Night Club this week and spoke really well about how they will approach the Premier League. It sounds like they will be horrible to play against, and will be happy to go direct when they have to.

With them starting at home, getting a result against Manchester United – who Holden is a big fan of – could really make their season.

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I think they will be competitive, but my worry for Hull is from looking at how they did last year, when they lost a third of their games in the Championship.

As a story, Sergej Jakirovic getting them from 21st place into the play-offs, and then up, is remarkable. Now they just need to hang on in there in the Premier League, but that will be very difficult.

United have not done much in the transfer market this summer, but Youri Tielemans is a really good signing – a safe signing, if there is such a thing – like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were last year.

As things stand, they are going to be stretched by being in the Champions League and I do feel like Carrick overachieved by getting them there.

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Now the expectations are rising following their third-place finish, but they are nowhere near Arsenal at the moment.

I think them having European football, while Tottenham and Chelsea don’t, will have a huge bearing on the season, which is why I left United out of my top four.

They should begin with a win, but this is the start of a full-on campaign for them, which makes it far more difficult, and they will need to add to their squad.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here