Manchester United made a nightmare start to the new season as promoted Hull City silenced their doubters with a shock 2-0 victory on their Premier League return Saturday.
Sergej Jakirovic’s playoff winners had been written off by pundits before a ball was kicked, with former England international Joe Cole even predicting an immediate return to the second tier. His comments sparked anger among Hull supporters.
But those predictions looked badly misplaced as the unfancied Tigers roared to a stunning and thoroughly deserved opening-day victory, scoring twice from first-half set pieces to stun United and announce their return to the Premier League in emphatic fashion.
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, had 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.
