Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 2-0 defeat at promoted Hull on Saturday in a dismal start to their Premier League campaign on Saturday afternoon.
Michael Carrick’s side were rocked by first half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy at the MKM Stadium.
Hull, who are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, were without 10 players due to injury but still put woeful United to the sword with a vibrant display.
Man United humiliated by Hull City
It was a chastening opening to the new season for United, who are expected to mount a title challenge after finishing third last term.
There was scant evidence that United are capable of going toe to toe with champions Arsenal on a dispiriting afternoon on Humberside.
Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos were anonymous in their United debuts in midfield after joining from Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively.
Even Jakirovic must have been pinching himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming during Hull’s first win over United since 2017.
Initially, United were on top and Luke Shaw’s cross reached Bryan Mbeumo for fierce strike that was repelled by Hull’s debutant keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
United threatened again moments later when Noussair Mazraoui picked out Matheus Cunha for a low drive that Tzolakis saved at full stretch.
But Hull served notice they could trouble United as Ryan Giles’ cross found Oli McBurnie for a header that forced a good stop from Senne Lammens.
United’s defensive vulnerability at set-pieces was brutally exposed in the 17th minute.
McBurnie easily evaded sloppy marking at a Hull corner and drilled a strike that Lammens could only push out to Nigeria defender Ajayi, who gleefully poked home from close-range.
Hull’s first Premier League goal for nine years sparked wild celebrations all around the MKM Stadium as orange and black-clad fans danced in delight.
Patrick Dorgu squandered a golden opportunity silence the Hull supporters, scuffing his shot wide from Harry Maguire’s pass.
United were toothless in attack and in disarray at the back.
Hull pounced to double their lead in the 38th minute.
Regan Slater’s pin-point free-kick wasn’t dealt with by United’s shambolic defence and Senegal defender Mendy thumped his header past Lammens.
Taunted by chants of “you’re getting mauled by the Tigers”, Carrick looked shell-shocked on the touchline.
Carrick sent on Marcus Rashford at half-time, but the England forward, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona, was unable to trigger a United revival.
Hull remained the more potent force and Mohamed Belloumi fizzed a drive just wide from distance.
Tielemans and Santos were both hauled off midway through the second half, but it made no difference as United tamely surrendered.
[…] joins Belgium’s Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos of Brazil in a new-look United midfield after veteran Casemiro left at the end of […]