Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\nManchester United suffered a nightmare start to the 2026\/27 campaign as newly promoted Hull City secured a shock 2-0 victory over the Red Devils.\u00a0Early into the match,\u00a0the Tigers took the lead. Ollie McBurnie\u2019s initial effort was saved by Senne Lammens, but United failed to react to the rebound. Semi Ajayi was quickest to the loose ball and finished from close range.\u00a0Set pieces then punished United again. Regan Slater delivered a dangerous free-kick from the right, allowing Mendy to power the ball beyond Lammens and double Hull\u2019s advantage.<\/p>\n
United Seriously Need A Striker<\/h3>\n
The lack of a recognised centre-forward was one of the clearest problems at the MKM Stadium, although Luke Shaw\u2019s struggles at left-back also raised concerns.\u00a0United repeatedly reached promising positions from which to cross, only to find there was nobody making the necessary movement inside the penalty area. Even when deliveries did arrive, the attack rarely looked capable of turning them into meaningful chances.<\/p>\n
Matheus Cunha frequently dropped deep or drifted towards the flanks rather than consistently threatening the space behind Hull\u2019s back three. The difference after Benjamin Sesko\u2019s introduction was immediately noticeable.\u00a0Even when the Slovenian was not picked out, his movement gave United a presence in the box. Almost every time an opportunity presented itself, Sesko was making a run.<\/p>\n
Dorgu Cannot Be The Solution On The Wing<\/h3>\n
Patrick Dorgu\u2019s performance against Hull provided further evidence that the Dane should not be regularly used as a winger.\u00a0There are situations in which Dorgu\u2019s physicality and pace make him a genuine threat. When there is space to attack and United are able to transition quickly, his athleticism can be extremely useful.\u00a0With the hosts defending in a compact shape and leaving little room for United\u2019s attackers, Dorgu\u2019s technical weaknesses became increasingly apparent. His first touch repeatedly let him down, while he too often took additional touches when a quicker cross was required.<\/p>\n
United\u2019s attacks down the left consistently broke down, and his finishing was also disappointing. Carrick had seen enough to replace him at half-time.\u00a0Marcus Rashford offered considerably more after coming on, despite not producing a spectacular performance himself. If Sesko is unavailable and Cunha needs to operate away from the left, Rashford appears to be the more natural option.<\/p>\n
Not A Good Start For New Midfielders<\/h3>\n
United\u2019s midfield underwent a significant overhaul during the summer with the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.\u00a0Both players are expected to provide greater control and progressive passing, while allowing United to move beyond some of the limitations that became apparent during Casemiro\u2019s final period at the club.<\/p>\n
Neither enjoyed an especially convincing competitive debut.\u00a0Tielemans looked short of the required tempo, often appearing slow in possession and struggling to influence the game. Santos showed plenty of effort but found it difficult to impose himself on the contest.\u00a0Kobbie Mainoo was introduced in the hope of bringing greater composure and creativity, but by then United were chasing the game and he was unable to make his usual impact.\u00a0Carlos Baleba is expected to arrive in the coming days and would give Carrick a different profile in midfield, particularly through his defensive work and pressing ability.<\/p>\n
United Must Do Better With Defending Crosses<\/h3>\n
Perhaps the most worrying aspect of the defeat is that United\u2019s problems defending crosses and set pieces had already been visible during pre-season.\u00a0Too many of the goals they conceded in the summer came from low or whipped deliveries, with defenders failing to react quickly enough. Hull exposed exactly the same weakness when the competitive season began.\u00a0Both goals came from set-piece situations, while McBurnie was also left unmarked for an early header that could easily have produced another goal.<\/p>\n
The issue is not simply the number of players United have defending these situations. It is the alarming lack of urgency.\u00a0Ajayi had virtually nobody around him for the opening goal, with Harry Maguire appearing to be occupied elsewhere as the Hull defender reacted first to the rebound.\u00a0United were physically and mentally second best in those moments, and that is something Carrick will need to address quickly.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n