Manchester United's troubled post-Ferguson era continued on Saturday as newly promoted Hull City claimed a stunning 2-0 victory, exposing familiar frailties in Michael Carrick's side just as his permanent reign was meant to signal fresh momentum at Old Trafford.
Goals from centre-backs Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, both scored from set pieces, condemned United to a chastening afternoon and handed Hull their first league win over the Manchester club since 1974. The result raises fresh questions about whether United's squad needs further reinforcement before the transfer window shuts.
The match lacked spark for long spells until a heated clash between Harry Maguire and Elliot Stroud near the halfway line stirred the atmosphere, despite no foul being awarded. The moment seemed to galvanize Hull's players and supporters, while United struggled to find any rhythm.
Senne Lammens was forced into early action, denying Oli McBurnie and tipping away a dangerous Ryan Giles delivery. But United's resistance did not last. From a subsequent corner, poor marking at both posts allowed the ball to be flicked back across goal to McBurnie, whose effort was initially kept out by Lammens on the line—only for Ajayi to react quickest and fire home the rebound for his second league goal in Hull colours.
McBurnie proved a persistent nuisance throughout, using his physicality to trouble United's defense, including debutant Ayden Heaven. United, without a recognized central striker, deployed Matheus Cunha in a false nine role, which saw him drift wide and offer little direct threat through the middle.
Things worsened before the interval. A needless free-kick conceded by Youri Tielemans led to another set-piece United failed to clear effectively. Regan Slater's delivery found Mendy, who headed home unmarked for his first goal since joining the club, sending Hull's home support into raptures.
The half-time whistle was greeted with celebration inside the stadium, while sections of the away end had already begun to empty. Carrick used the break to reassess, though his only change was withdrawing the booked Patrick Dorgu for the returning Marcus Rashford.
Rashford's introduction brought some much-needed urgency down the left flank, as he looked to run at a Hull defense that had largely coped comfortably in the first half. Still, it wasn't enough to shift the momentum. In a further sign of United's struggles, both summer signings Andrey Santos and Tielemans—brought in for a combined fee reported at £85 million—were substituted with 23 minutes remaining after failing to influence proceedings.
Hull, who had one of the Championship's weakest defensive records last season, were content to sit back in the second half and see out the game, limiting United to sporadic pressure. The victory was built on organization, aggressive pressing, and quality delivery from set pieces—qualities that were notably absent from the visitors' performance.
For United, the defeat raises uncomfortable parallels with the underwhelming spells under previous management, suggesting that Carrick's calmer approach on the touchline has yet to translate into greater intensity or cohesion on the pitch. With Ipswich visiting Old Trafford next, the pressure is mounting for a swift response.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.