Hull start season in sensational style with shock victory over Manchester United

Manchester United made a nightmare start to the new season as promoted Hull confounded their many doubters by securing a shock 2-0 victory on their Premier League return.

Sergej Jakirovic’s play-off winners were written off by nearly every pundit before a ball was kicked, with former England international Joe Cole saying an immediate Championship return is certain, causing anger among the home fans.

Such naysayers will have been rubbing their eyes in disbelief on Saturday lunchtime as the unfancied Tigers roared to a remarkable, and thoroughly deserved, opening weekend win courtesy of a pair of first half set pieces.

Semi Ajayi opened the scoring after United failed to deal with a corner and Michael Carrick’s men were again found wanting when Regan Slater sent in a free-kick for debutant Nobel Mendy to nod home.

The Red Devils boss, handed the permanent job in May, warned of a challenging start in East Yorkshire but he could not have foreseen such a meek display from his side months after finishing third.

Carrick has plenty to mull over following United’s alarming first ever Premier League loss to Hull, whose first top-flight match since 2017 will live long in the memory.

‘One family, one dream’ read the flags placed on seats around the MKM Stadium 13 weeks on from the play-off final win against Middlesbrough.

The togetherness, spirit and momentum from that unlikely promotion helped City roar out of the blocks as Jakirovic’s Tigers immediately made life difficult for United.

Oli McBurnie would have nodded Hull into a fifth minute lead was it not for a smart clearance, with the striker soon seeing a booming header denied by Senne Lammens.

Debutant Konstantinos Tzolakis brilliantly stopped a Bryan Mbeumo effort between