‘This is schoolboy defending’ - Rooney singles out one player in Man United's loss to Hull

The Red Devils were humiliated in their first game of the new season, following a 2-0 loss to Hull City on Saturday.

Goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy condemned Manchester United to a disastrous 148-year low.

Two set-piece goals in the first half handed Michael Carrick’s men their first defeat of the season against a newly promoted side.

Following the loss, Rooney singled out a senior player for a critical error that led to their first loss of the season.

The club's all-time leading scorer did not mince words when dissecting the defensive weaknesses that led to the disappointing defeat at the MKM Stadium. 

Rooney was particularly critical of Luke Shaw's involvement in Hull's second goal, pointing out how the left-back's poor positioning kept the opposition's attack onside and extinguished any chance of a United recovery.

Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day, Rooney offered a blunt assessment. "This is schoolboy defending from Luke Shaw," he said. 

"Man United had a good line, Hull would have been waiting for this all day, Luke Shaw drops in, he’s five yards behind his back line and if the ball is good enough, which it was, it’s impossible to stop."

"Hull had a game plan," Rooney added. "They were getting balls into the penalty box, picking up second balls and Man United found it very difficult."

Beyond Shaw's individual mistake, Rooney voiced wider concerns about the team's passive approach and lack of intensity against a well-organised Hull side. 

"I watched the AC Milan game last week, and they [Hull] played the same system, they played with wing-backs, and Man United really struggled to deal with that," Rooney observed. 

"Maybe Hull have seen that game last week and changed it, and I think fair play if that’s the case because they looked a really good team today."

He continued, "They sat in a mid block, didn’t get any pressure on the ball, I think they won two balls in Hull’s final third. There needs to be more energy in the press, how they go and win the ball back. Today was all too passive."

The loss leaves Manchester United facing significant questions ahead of their first home fixture of the new Premier League season.