Manchester United humiliated by Hull in dismal start to Premier League season

HULL, England – Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said they are disappointed after crashing to a humiliating 2-0 defeat at promoted Hull City on Aug 22, but “it won’t knock us”.

In a dismal start to their Premier League campaign, the Red Devils were rocked by first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy at the MKM Stadium.

Hull, who are back in the top flight 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.

Carrick told TNT Sports after the match: “We have a bit to improve on, it was never going to be perfect. Going behind makes it more difficult. Against a promoted team at home, we can’t give them much and they had opportunities. We’re disappointed but it won’t knock us.”

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.

Carrick laughed off claims that United have been handed an easy start to the season, with their trip to Hull followed by a home game against Ipswich Town, another of the promoted teams.

The United manager’s caution proved prescient.

Carrick added: “Two goals is frustrating anyway, they decide the game today and there’s things to improve on. One game doesn’t change the direction of everything. It doesn’t change the direction of the football club.”

Former England captain Alan Shearer summed up United’s malaise with a damning verdict.

“Man United have been shocking, no hunger, they’ve been terrible,” the BBC pundit said.

Carrick’s steady demeanour during his interim spell after Ruben Amorim’s turbulent reign played a major role in United’s revival last season.

But, now installed as permanent boss, Carrick is expected to mount a challenge for United’s first English title since 2013, adding a layer of pressure he did not have to endure last season.

Carrick has been asking for more signings.

United have agreed to a deal to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, a source close to the Old Trafford club said.

British media reported that United will pay an initial £65 million (S$113 million) plus up to £5 million in add-ons, with fellow Premier League side Brighton securing a sell-on clause.

When asked about Baleba, Carrick said he had all eyes on the Hull match, so he would not comment on any other player “until he’s ours”.

He will certainly be demanding more from his men after this wretched performance.

Last season, Hull became the first team to finish sixth in the Championship and earn promotion via the play-offs since Blackpool in 2010.

Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic had insisted this week that Hull could prove the doubters wrong after a host of pundits wrote them off as relegation certainties.

Toothless United

Even Jakirovic must have been pinching himself to make sure he was not dreaming during Hull’s first win over United since 2017.

Initially, United were on top, and Luke Shaw’s cross reached Bryan Mbeumo for a 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 EPL goal for nine years sparked wild celebrations all around the MKM Stadium, with orange and black-clad fans dancing in delight.

After Patrick Dorgu squandered a golden opportunity to silence the Hull supporters, scuffing his shot wide from Harry Maguire’s pass, 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 had spent the previous season on loan at Barcelona, was unable to trigger a revival for United.

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. AFP