MANCHESTER UNITED LOSE 2-0 TO NEWLY PROMOTED HULL CITY IN FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON
By Meddy Walusimbi Omuyiribi/ Monday, 24th August, 2026
Manchester United started the new Premier League season so badly, they lost 2-0 away to Hull City on Saturday. It was a big shock because Hull City just came up from the Championship. It is Hull’s first win against United in 52 years. It is also the first time United have lost to a promoted team on the opening day.
Michael Carrick took over as Manchester United manager in January and did well last season. He won 12 of his last 17 games and finished third. After the Hull game he said it is just one game and the team should not panic. He said the team will stay calm and focus on next week.
But the performance was poor. United had 72 percent of the ball but did nothing with it. Hull had only two shots on target and scored both goals.
The first goal came in the 17th minute from a corner. United failed to clear the ball and Hull defender Semi Ajayi scored. The second goal came in the 38th minute from a free kick. Nobel Mendy was left free in the box and headed in. Two goals from set pieces. This was a big problem for United last season and it came back again at Hull.
In defence United looked open. Harry Maguire was even one of their best attackers, which shows the problem. In midfield there was no control. Up front there was no sharpness. Bryan Mbeumo had one good shot in the 78th minute but the Hull goalkeeper saved it. Marcus Rashford came on in the second half. It was his first game for United since December 2024 after his loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona. He looked sharp but he got no service.
The defeat also shows United’s problem in the transfer window. Other big clubs bought top strikers. United bought young players like Mbeumo, Leny Yoro, Patrick Dorgu and Andrey Santos. They are good players but they are not proven goal scorers. United still need a striker who can score 20 goals a season. They also need a strong midfielder and a solid defence. The goalkeeper position is also not settled. Some players who were supposed to leave are still at the club.
What next for Carrick and United. This game was a lesson. Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic said his players believed they could play at this level and they proved it. They were faster and stronger than United.
Carrick still has support from the fans because of what he did last season. But the pressure at Old Trafford is different. The next game is very important. United play Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on August 30. Ipswich are also newly promoted. If United win, people will forget the Hull defeat and say it was just one bad game. If they do not win, the pressure will come back quickly.
The smoke from Hull fans before the game is gone, but the doubts around Manchester United have just started.
