Ajayi Scores as Hull City Hand Manchester United Opening-Day Shock

Ajayi Scores as Hull City Hand Manchester United Opening-Day Shock

By Niyi Busari 

Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi scored as newly promoted Hull City stunned Manchester United 2-0 in a dominant opening-day display that immediately raised questions about the Premier League giants’ prospects for the new season, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

United endured a nightmare start to the 2026-27 Premier League campaign, falling to a surprise defeat at the KC Stadium as Hull capitalised on their set-piece weakness.

Ajayi opened the scoring in the 17th minute, rising to convert a corner and give Hull a deserved lead. The hosts doubled their advantage three minutes before halftime when Nobel Mendy powered a header past the United defence from a free-kick delivered by Regan Slater.

Both goals exposed United’s vulnerability from dead-ball situations, with the visitors unable to deal with Hull’s deliveries into the penalty area.

United improved after the interval but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities and never seriously threatened to overturn the deficit. The defeat leaves Michael Carrick with plenty to address after his first Premier League match as the club’s permanent head coach.

There had been optimism around Old Trafford before kick-off following the unveiling of Marcus Rashford’s new squad number. The forward, who returned from a loan spell at Barcelona, will wear the No. 9 shirt this season. However, he started on the bench and was introduced at halftime, but could not inspire a comeback.

Rashford was among several United players who struggled to make an impact as an uninspiring team performance underlined the gap between the club’s current standing and its former dominance. United last won the Premier League title in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson.

For Hull, the result represented an emphatic statement on their return to the top flight.

Sergej Jakirovic’s side finished sixth in the Championship last season before securing promotion at Wembley amid the controversy surrounding Southampton’s absence from the playoffs. Despite predictions that Hull could struggle against Premier League opposition, they produced a confident and disciplined performance in their first match back in the division.

“We picked up where we left off,” Hull midfielder Regan Slater told TNT Sports after the match, expressing the significance of the victory.

The result gives Hull an ideal start to life in the Premier League, while United must quickly regroup.

Carrick’s side will have an opportunity to respond next weekend when they host another promoted team, Ipswich Town, at Old Trafford.