Hull City secured a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on their Premier League return on 23 August 2026. The win, the club's first league triumph against United in 52 years, came after a nine‑year absence from the top flight.

Hull's Premier League Return

Hull, promoted via the playoffs, were tipped for an early return to the Championship but began the season with a shock win. The MKM Stadium erupted when Semi Ajayi turned home a rebound in the 17th minute after a corner from Oli McBurnie was parried by goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Seven minutes before half‑time, Regan Slater curled a free‑kick into the area and Nobel Mendy rose to head the ball past Lammens, sealing the 2‑0 scoreline.

Key Moments

United, who had never lost to a newly promoted side in a season opener, struggled to respond. Marcus Rashford made his first appearance for the club since December 2024 as a second‑half substitute, showing flashes of promise but failing to create clear chances. United’s best opportunity came in the 78th minute when Bryan Mbeumo’s shot from a central area was saved by Hull’s defender Konstantinos Tzolakis, who otherwise enjoyed a quiet afternoon.

Managerial Reactions

Hull’s Croatian manager Sergej Jakirovic said, “I spoke last week about the possibility that we can win. This is maybe the key because I have to convince my players that we are capable of playing at this level.” United’s new manager Michael Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim in January, admitted the result was disappointing but urged calm: “It’s the first game of the season, so it hurts, of course it does. But it doesn’t change the direction the team’s going in.”

The match marked Hull’s first league victory over United in 52 years and highlighted the unpredictability of opening weekends in a season with a managerial merry‑go‑round. The result also underscored United’s vulnerability to newly promoted sides, a fact that carried over from their last season’s revival under Carrick.

Final Detail

Marcus Rashford made his first appearance for United since December 2024, coming on as a second‑half substitute.