Hull City vs Man United: Super Eagles star Ajayi puts Red Devils through hell in Tigers victory

Hull City announced their return to the Premier League with a bang, shocking 13-time champions Manchester United 2-0 on the opening day of the 2026/27 season.

Super Eagles of Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi was in the thick of the action, opening the scoring for the Tigers after only 17 minutes, before Nobel Mendy wrapped up the victory with a second strike before the halftime break.

Given the gulf in expectations between the two sides, few would have predicted Hull City to trouble Manchester United.

However, the Tigers started brightly and deservedly took the lead after Senne Lammens denied several early chances from Oli McBurnie and Ryan Giles.

The Red Devils eventually succumbed when Semi Ajayi reacted quickest to another Lammens save from a corner routine to fire Hull City ahead.

Manchester United struggled to respond, with Patrick Dorgu wasting two opportunities before Bryan Mbeumo saw an effort deflected wide. Hull then doubled their advantage through debutant Nobel Mendy, who expertly converted Regan Slater’s pinpoint free-kick delivery.

Michael Carrick introduced Marcus Rashford after the half-time break, but Manchester United remained frustrated by Hull’s disciplined defence. The Tigers continued to threaten, with McBurnie and Mohamed Belloumi coming close to adding a third despite injuries to Mendy and Lewie Coyle.

Tzolakis made a crucial save from Mbeumo late on, while Harry Maguire’s tame effort summed up United’s disappointing afternoon.

The defeat marked United’s first back-to-back Premier League opening-day losses since 1973 and raised early questions about Carrick’s side.