Hull City 2-0 Manchester United , set-piece failures cost Red Devils as Carrick faces early tests

Manchester United suffered a disappointing start to their Premier League campaign after falling to a 2-0 defeat against newly promoted Hull City, with defensive lapses from set pieces proving costly.

United captain Bruno Fernandes admitted the team failed to match Hull’s intensity and aggression, highlighting two dead-ball situations as the decisive moments of the match.

“We know in the Premier League these types of away grounds are difficult to play against. You need to match their intensity and aggression. The two set pieces ended up costing us the game today,” Fernandes said.

Hull made their physical advantage count, scoring both goals in the first half through Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, with both strikes coming from set-piece situations.

Despite enjoying possession and creating opportunities after the break, United was unable to recover from the early damage. The second half showed improvement from Michael Carrick’s side, but the visitors struggled to break down a disciplined Hull team that defended their advantage effectively.

The result has raised questions over Carrick’s tactical decisions, particularly his midfield selection. The Tielemans-Andrey Santos partnership struggled to provide the control and balance needed against a hull side that relied on physicality, direct play, and quick transitions.

Hulls were sharper in key moments, winning battles across the pitch and exposing weaknesses in United’s defensive organisation.

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney praised Hull’s performance while admitting the Red Devils were below expectations.

“Hull was excellent and deserved the win. Manchester United didn’t play at the level expected, but I’m confident Michael Carrick will learn from this and do a better job in the next game,” Rooney said.

The defeat leaves Carrick with plenty to address as United look to respond in their next fixture. While Fernandes has identified set-piece defending as a major concern, the overall performance and tactical setup will also come under scrutiny.

For Hull, the victory provides a major confidence boost as they mark their return to the Premier League with a memorable win over one of England’s biggest clubs.