Hull City stun Manchester United 2-0 on Premier League return

Hull City marked their Premier League return with a stunning 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Matchday 1, earning their first win over the Red Devils in the competition and their first win against United since November 1974 in the second tier.

Goals from centre-back Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy secured three points in Hull’s first Premier League game in nine years, ending an 11-game winless run against United. The result also continued Hull’s strong record on opening day — among teams to appear in more than one Premier League campaign, they have the highest win percentage on MD1 at 66.7%, four wins from six.

Ajayi: We’re not focused on outside noise

Hull faced criticism from pundits in the build-up, with Joe Cole dismissing their survival chances and saying they had “slipped into” the Premier League through the play-offs on a podcast. Ajayi said the team are not letting the comments affect them.

"It was amazing, it capped off the great start that we had," the centre-back told TNT Sports. "I was buzzing to get the goal that got us on our way. I didn’t really care if any of us scored; there was no VAR check, so I was buzzing that we got the goal."

"We’re not focused on outside noise; we back ourselves to do well, and hopefully we will have a really positive season."

Clinical Hull frustrate United despite low possession

Despite having just 28.5% possession, Hull were clinical with their chances, especially in the first half, with Manchester United keeper Senne Lammens making several superb saves to keep the hosts at bay. Hull did not register a shot on target in the second half but defended resolutely to preserve a clean sheet.

Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic said the plan worked and highlighted home form as key to their ambitions.

"We tried something on Friday, a plan there to punish them, how they stand on the wide free-kicks," Jakirovic told TNT Sports. "A big boost for us – [home form] is the key – I have to convince players they are capable of playing at this level. We can compete, and this is the key; they showed that."