Manchester United’s Premier League season began with a dismal 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy punished United from set pieces in the first half, while Michael Carrick’s side had plenty of possession after the break without ever building enough momentum to threaten a comeback.
Here are the ReadManUtd player ratings from a deeply disappointing afternoon.
Senne Lammens – 6
United’s best performer during a dreadful opening period.
Produced an excellent low save from Oli McBurnie’s header and made further stops as Hull built pressure before the opener. Could do little about either goal after being exposed by those in front of him.
Noussair Mazraoui – 4
Part of a chaotic defensive setup for Ajayi’s opener, with United’s marking at the corner completely breaking down.
Never looked entirely comfortable against Hull’s direct approach and offered little going forward before Dalot replaced him late on.
Harry Maguire – 4
One of United’s better sources of progressive passing in the first half. A superb ball created an opening for Dorgu and he later delivered another dangerous cross.
Those moments could not compensate for the defensive problems. United needed Maguire’s experience when Hull began winning duels and attacking set pieces, but the back line never looked secure.
Ayden Heaven – 5
Probably the least culpable member of the starting defence.
Hull’s physical approach presented a difficult opening-day examination and Heaven had moments where his recovery pace helped. Still part of a unit that conceded twice from dead-ball situations.
Luke Shaw – 5
Mixed.
His delivery created an opportunity for Mbeumo in the first half and he made an important intervention when Hull threatened on the counter after the break.
Shaw also combined promisingly with Rashford once the winger came on, but United needed considerably more penetration down the left.
Andrey Santos – 4
A difficult competitive United debut.
Hull’s midfield repeatedly imposed itself physically and United were unable to establish the level of control expected from Santos and Tielemans.
Plenty of neat possession without enough influence on where the game was being played. Replaced by Mainoo.
Youri Tielemans – 4
Another disappointing debut.
United struggled to match Hull’s intensity through midfield and Tielemans compounded the problem by conceding the dangerous free kick immediately before Mendy made it 2-0.
Unable to dictate the game in the way Carrick would have expected. Made way for Sesko as United chased the match.
Bryan Mbeumo – 5
One of the few United attackers who occasionally threatened.
Forced Tzolakis into a save early on and produced an acrobatic effort from Shaw’s cross. He also reached the byline and delivered balls into dangerous areas.
Moved between the right, centre-forward and No.10 roles as Carrick searched for an answer, but there was no decisive contribution.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
Far too quiet.
Hull did an excellent job of keeping United’s biggest creative threat away from the areas where he could hurt them. One first-half effort was blocked after Cunha’s lay-off, but Fernandes never took control.
United eventually resorted to hopeful crosses, including one late delivery straight into Tzolakis’ hands.
Patrick Dorgu – 3
United’s poorest player.
Had multiple opportunities in promising positions but repeatedly lacked the quality of a natural attacker. One header went badly wide, another opening was wasted after a good Maguire delivery and he made the wrong decision inside the area shortly before half-time.
Booked after bringing down Matt Crooks and withdrawn at the interval.
Matheus Cunha – 5
Started through the middle but frequently dropped too deep, leaving United without enough presence against Hull’s centre-backs.
Turned nicely before shooting straight at Tzolakis early on and later created Fernandes’ blocked effort.
Improved when able to move around the attack and played one particularly neat pass to release Mbeumo in the second half, but United needed considerably more.
Substitutes
Marcus Rashford – 6
United immediately looked slightly more dangerous after his half-time introduction.
Won a free kick with his first dribble, linked nicely with Shaw and at least attempted to attack Hull directly. Later produced a chipped cross which Sesko managed to reach.
Could not manufacture a clear chance, but added more threat than Dorgu had offered.
Kobbie Mainoo – 5
Introduced to give United greater control but struggled to alter the pattern.
Saw plenty of the ball as Hull dropped deeper. A late through ball rolled harmlessly through to nobody, summing up United’s lack of understanding around the penalty area.
Benjamin Sesko – 5
Made his return from injury with United already chasing a lost cause.
Provided a much-needed presence in the box and reached Rashford’s late cross, although his header was partially blocked and gathered comfortably.
Very little meaningful service.
Diogo Dalot – 5
A late replacement for Mazraoui.
Had little time to influence the match as United continued pushing crosses into a packed Hull penalty area.
Shea Lacey – 5
Replaced Cunha for the closing stages and operated from the right, with Mbeumo moving centrally again.
Tried to get involved but entered when the match had become increasingly flat and fragmented.
Michael Carrick – 4
Carrick’s team were second-best for intensity and physicality against a newly promoted side, and conceding twice from set pieces made the defeat particularly damaging.
The decision to use Dorgu as the left-sided attacker did not work, while Cunha’s tendency to drop deep left United without enough presence in the penalty area.
Rashford improved that side after half-time and Carrick eventually threw on Sesko, Mainoo, Dalot and Lacey, but the changes never generated sustained pressure.
United had plenty of the ball. They rarely looked like scoring.
