Manchester United started their Premier League season with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Hull City on Saturday, 22 August, at the MKM Stadium. Michael Carrick fielded a strong starting XI for the game, pairing new signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans in midfield.
With Benjamin Sesko failing to make an appearance in any of the six pre-season games, the English manager opted to play Matheus Cunha in the No. 9 role. Bryan Mbeumo started in his usual right-forward role, while Patrick Dorgu was preferred to Marcus Rashford on the left flank, with the Englishman making the bench.
If fans expected the Red Devils to continue their spectacular form from last season, they were in for disappointment. United struggled to control the game and paid the price in the 16th minute, when Semi Ajayi gave Hull the lead.
Nobel Mendy then doubled the score in the 38th minute, and the Tigers went on to secure a memorable victory in front of their fans. Here are the three things we learned from the game.
Set-piece defending still a vulnerability
United have been vulnerable at set pieces in recent seasons, and that weakness was evident against Hull City as well. Carrick started Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven together at the heart of his backline, and they never looked comfortable together.
The veteran defender was seen grappling with Noussair Mazraoui for the first goal, leaving Ajayi unmarked to put the ball in the back of the net, despite Senne Lammens’ best efforts. The Red Devils looked uncomfortable dealing with balls into the box all game, and it was not a coincidence that the hosts doubled the score from another set piece.
The Tigers, meanwhile, were compact at the back and dealt with everything that the visitors threw at them. United have so far opted against investing in a new defender this summer and fans will hope they do not live to regret that decision.
United are currently without Matthijs de Ligt, who was a revelation in the first half of last season before picking up an injury. The Dutch defender is working his way back to full fitness and the Red Devils will be itching to have him back.
The No. 9 position a concern for United
United have been linked with a new No. 9 all summer, especially given the lack of cover in the position in the squad. Joshua Zirkzee has been a disappointment and remains linked with an exit at the moment.
The Red Devils managed with Cunha and Mbeumo as makeshift options for the position last season, but their lack of box presence has hurt the team. That was the case once again against Hull City, with Sesko watching from the bench as the Brazilian struggled to find his footing in the game.
The Slovenian did come on for the final 23 minutes and gave United more options in the box. The Red Devils ended the game with 21 shots, but only five of them were on target.
The Red Devils’ striker woes were evident once again against Hull City. If Zirkzee ends up leaving, United will have to swiftly invest in a proven No. 9 to cover for Sesko ahead of a long and fixture-congested season.
Investing in Baleba a wise decision
United parted ways with Casemiro over the summer and opted to sign Santos and Tielemans to strengthen the midfield. However, the duo’s lack of physicality was evident against Hull City, with Tielemans particularly struggling without the ball.
While the Tigers spent much of the game with their backs against the wall, they easily glided past the Red Devils every time they had the ball. United’s lack of steel and tenacity in midfield allowed the home side to take control and ultimately secure a win.
This is where the Red Devils’ decision to invest in Carlos Baleba appears to be a masterstroke. Recent reports suggest that United have already secured the services of the Cameroonian from Brighton & Hove Albion, although an official confirmation is awaited.
Baleba has all the attributes to replace Casemiro at Old Trafford, while his tenacity and work ethic will bode well alongside Kobbie Mainoo. The 22 year old is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, and United fans will be eager to see the 22 year old back to full fitness.
Final Thoughts
Saturday’s defeat laid bare quite a few issues in the squad and it is now up to United to address them, either through proper coaching or a late investment in the squad. For now, fans will hope that the Red Devils can quickly bounce back when they welcome Ipswich Town to Old Trafford on Sunday, 30 August.
Featured image by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
