Manchester United fell to a shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City in their opening game of the Premier League season.It was a remarkable start for newly-promoted Hull. After an even opening quarter of an hour, a corner in the 17th minute fell to the feet of Semi Ajayi, who fired into the back of the net to give his side the lead. Hull doubled their lead in the 38th minute, with Nobel Mendy meeting a free-kick with his head and nodding home.Head coach Michael Carrick made a series of changes after the break, bringing on the likes of Marcus Rashford and Benjamin Sesko, but his team were unable to turn the game around — handing Hull a precious three points in their bid to stay in the Premier League.The Athletic’s Carl Anka and Liam Tharme analyse the key talking points from the game.Why did United lose the physical battle?“I think it’s a tough start; both teams,” said Michael Carrick during his pre-match press conference on Thursday. “A newly promoted team away from home is a tough game.”Few gave Hull a puncher’s chance of getting a result, but they were excellent in the first half, scoring twice from set pieces and looking far hungrier in the physical battle.Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic caused a tactical headache for Carrick, setting his team up in a 5-4-1 which preferred to snap into midfield tackles rather than sit deep on the edge of their own penalty area.Wing-backs Ryan Giles and Lewie Coyle were clever when choosing their moments to push up into the final third and disrupt the rhythms of Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw. ​​Oli McBurnie was a useful focal point up front, but also happy to drop deep to stymie Andrey Santos’ influence.Oli McBurnie was a physical focal point (George Wood/Getty Images)And then came the crosses. Regan Slater’s set-piece deliveries played havoc with United’s defensive set-up. Hull’s first goal came from a corner Slater whipped in towards the back post, with Matt Crooks outmuscling his marker to get the flick on to free up McBurnie behind him. McBurnie’s effort was denied by Senne Lammens, but the loose ball was snatched up by Ajayi, who gave his team the lead.Hull’s second came from another Slater delivery, which found Mendy with pinpoint precision. Hull looked bigger, stronger and more willing to tussle for first and second balls.Slater’s potent crosses made goals a straightforward process. The home side finished the first half having won 65 per cent of their aerial duels and 59 per cent of their ground duels. Those numbers took a slight dip by the hour mark (62 per cent aerial duels won and 55 per cent ground duels won), but there was little indication they had run out of energy or seized up under pressure.They won the physical arm wrestle, which helped them gain control of the match.Carl AnkaWho stood out for Hull?The man of the match contest had plenty of candidates. Slater played a key role in both goals, delivering the inswinging corner that led to Ajayi’s opener, and whipping a free-kick onto Mendy’s head 21 minutes later.