Manchester United’s attack has been criticised as “dreadful” by Alan Shearer after their surprise defeat to Hull City on Saturday.
United were beaten 2-0 at the KC Stadium by their newly-promoted rivals in their first game of the 2026-27 Premier League stadium.
Hull scored two first-half goals from set-pieces and remained resolute to prevent United from mounting a comeback.
“[Hull] could have played three, four or five at the back at it wouldn’t have mattered because Man United were dreadful in all positions, particularly up front. They offered nothing,” Premier League legend Shearer told BBC’s Match of the Day.
“There was only one team that were going to win that, from the very first minute. You saw the energy, you saw the intensity.
“That would be the worrying thing. You know that as a team, going away from home as a newly-promoted team, you know what you’re going to get. And you have to match them, is the minimum. Man United didn’t, and they couldn’t live with them.”
United names Matheus Cunha up front with Bryan Mbeumo on the right, Patrick Dorgu on the left, and Bruno Fernandes at No. 10. Marcus Rashford — returning after being loaned to Barcelona last season, and newly wearing the No. 9 shirt this campaign — came off the bench at half-time and Benjamin Sesko was introduced after 66 minutes. Joshua Zirkzee remained unused.
Michael Carrick, appointed as United’s permanent head coach in May after impressing as an interim, refused to panic.
“It just doesn’t mean that we all have to shout and scream and come out and create some chaos just because of it, you know? Inside we’re hurting, the boys know, and we need to get better,” he said.
But Fernandes cut a more frustrated figure, telling TNT Sports: “Same mistakes as we did last season, every away game.
Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic expects confidence will prove key to their fortunes this season.
The Tigers last competed at this level in 2017, and got the new campaign under way at home against Carrick’s side having already been widely written off as a team likely to head immediately back down to the Championship. Semi Ajayi gave Hull the advantage in the 17th minute and Nobel Mendy doubled that lead with a header in the 38th minute.
Jakirovic hopes the result will cement an increased confidence among the squad, who set out this season to defy the lack of faith shown in them by pundits. He said: “I’m very happy, our players put everything on the pitch today as we agreed. Through all this week this is what we have been practising and this is the result, I am very, very pleased with that.
“It’s a big boost for us for the future, I spoke all 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 to play at this level.
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“We showed last season we are mentally very strong and that we can compete against everyone, maybe that is the key.
“This victory is amazing because now they are convinced they can compete at this level.”
Jakirovic also believes the victory will have the added benefit of aiding Hull’s approaches in the transfer window, adding: “They will come now, 100%. I don’t have any doubts.”
Press Association contributed to this report.
