Hull City marked their long-awaited return to the Premier League in style, defeating Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium in a result few had predicted. The victory, Hull's first top-flight fixture since 2017, delivered a statement to the rest of the division and handed Michael Carrick his first Premier League defeat as permanent United manager.
The hosts, managed by Jakirovic, started with intensity and pressed United from the opening whistle. Oli McBurnie was denied an early breakthrough by a well-timed clearance before seeing a powerful header saved by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens. At the other end, debutant Hull keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis produced a fine save to deny Bryan Mbeumo, while Lammens was again called into action to tip over a effort from Ryan Giles.
Hull's pressure told in the 17th minute. A corner was flicked on and McBurnie's follow-up was brilliantly kept out by Lammens, only for the rebound to fall to Semi Ajayi, who finished from close range to give the Tigers a deserved lead.
United, playing their first-ever Premier League match against Hull, struggled to respond. Patrick Dorgu was largely ineffective in United's attempts to find a way back into the contest, and the visitors looked disjointed without a clear focal point up front. Hull capitalized again just before half-time when debutant Youri Tielemans fouled Mohamed Belloumi just outside the box. Regan Slater's resulting free-kick was met by fellow debutant Nobel Mendy, who headed home to double the advantage in the 38th minute.
The MKM Stadium erupted, with supporters directing chants at pundit Joe Cole, who had said before the match he would be