Manchester United made a disastrous start to the new Premier League season as two first-half set-piece goals condemned Michael Carrick’s side to a 2-0 defeat against newly promoted Hull City.
Semi Ajayi opened the scoring after 17 minutes before Nobel Mendy doubled Hull’s advantage in the 38th minute at a jubilant MKM Stadium.
United dominated possession for long periods and pushed Hull back after the interval, but Carrick’s side lacked the quality required to turn pressure into clear chances.
Marcus Rashford made his competitive United return from the bench and Benjamin Sesko was also introduced, but neither could prevent a miserable opening-day defeat.
Hull punish Man Utd from two set pieces
Carrick handed Premier League debuts to summer midfield signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, while Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha formed the core of the attack.
The starting side contained several of the calls anticipated in ReadManUtd’s predicted XI before the Hull game, with Sesko and Rashford initially kept among the substitutes.
United saw plenty of the ball early on without making it count.
Cunha tested Konstantinos Tzolakis with a comfortable effort before Hull offered a warning at the other end, Oli McBurnie forcing Senne Lammens into a good save with a header.
The hosts did not waste their next opportunity.
Ajayi punished United from a corner in the 17th minute, with Harry Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui caught in an uncomfortable piece of marking as Hull took the lead.
United failed to respond.
Instead, Hull struck from another set-piece before half-time. Mendy found the net in the 38th minute, with Regan Slater providing the assist, to send the promoted side into the interval two goals ahead.
Both Hull goals coming from dead-ball situations left Carrick with an immediate defensive problem to address. The Guardian’s match coverage recorded 14 United shots across the afternoon but no clear-cut opportunity despite their territorial control.
Rashford and Sesko cannot rescue Man Utd
Carrick reacted at half-time by introducing Rashford as United looked for greater directness.
It was Rashford’s first competitive appearance for the club in around 20 months following his loan spells away from Old Trafford.
United controlled more of the second half but struggled to turn that possession into sustained danger.
Carrick eventually turned to Sesko and Kobbie Mainoo as the visitors committed more players forward. Crosses began to arrive with increasing frequency, but Hull defended their penalty area superbly.
Tzolakis remained composed whenever he was required, while Hull continued to compete aggressively for second balls and protected their advantage.
United’s increasingly desperate approach produced plenty of territory but little momentum.
That was particularly disappointing given ReadManUtd had identified Hull’s defence as an area United could potentially exploit before kick-off.
Instead, it was United’s own defensive organisation that decided the game.
Carrick’s side entered the new campaign with optimism following last season’s third-place finish and an expensive midfield rebuild. Santos and Tielemans endured a difficult Premier League debut together, while United’s attack never found the rhythm required to break down Hull’s organised shape.
The agreement to sign Carlos Baleba will add another major option to Carrick’s midfield, but the problems exposed at the MKM Stadium went considerably wider than one position.
Two set pieces, two goals and no response.
United’s first full Premier League season under Carrick could hardly have started worse.
