Jakirovic: Victory over Manchester United proves Hull belong in Premier League

Sergej Jakirovic expects confidence will prove key to Hull’s fortunes this season after they returned to the Premier League with a bang to defeat Manchester United 2-0.

The Tigers last competed at this level in 2017, and got the new campaign under way at home against Michael 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, leaving United trailing at the break by a deficit they would then fail to address in the second half.

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.

“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 per cent. I don’t have any doubts.”

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expressed his disappointment in the result but was keen to keep the outcome in context at this early stage of the season.

He said: