Promoted Hull secured a dream start to their Premier League return by beating a misfiring Manchester United, with centre-backs Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy the difference in a game defined by United's poor set-piece defending.
Key facts
- Hull beat Manchester United on the Tigers' return to the Premier League.
- Centre-backs Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scored for Hull.
- United were punished for failing to defend set-pieces, according to the Guardian.
- The result piles pressure on Michael Carrick's permanent appointment at Old Trafford.
- The defeat comes as United weigh further transfer moves before the window closes.
Newly promoted Hull marked their return to the Premier League with a memorable victory over Manchester United, according to the Guardian, in a result the outlet described as a chastening experience for the visitors.
Centre-backs Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy were the heroes for the Tigers, both getting on the scoresheet to earn what the Guardian called a prized scalp against one of English football’s biggest clubs.
The Guardian reported that United were sluggish from start to finish and were rightly punished for failing to defend set-pieces with any degree of competence, an area that proved decisive in the defeat.
The result casts an early shadow over the tenure of Michael Carrick, whose permanent appointment was supposed to herald a new era at Old Trafford. Based on this defeat, the Guardian noted, very little has changed.
The outlet framed the loss within United’s longer struggles, writing that the club has been stuck in football’s equivalent of purgatory ever since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement 13 years ago, and that this performance suggests they could remain there a while longer.
With the transfer window still open, the Guardian said United are left to ponder whether the squad requires more invasive surgery before the deadline passes.
Why it matters
A promoted side beating a club of Manchester United's stature on the opening exchanges of the season is a significant upset that reshapes early narratives around both teams. For United, it intensifies questions over Michael Carrick's leadership and the state of the squad ahead of the transfer deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Who scored for Hull against Manchester United?
According to the Guardian, centre-backs Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scored to give Hull the win on their return to the Premier League.
Why did Manchester United lose to Hull?
The Guardian reported that United were sluggish throughout and were punished for failing to defend set-pieces competently.
What does the result mean for Michael Carrick?
The Guardian noted that Carrick's permanent appointment was meant to signal a new era, but this defeat suggests very little has changed at Old Trafford.