Ajayi and Mendy propel promoted Hull to victory over Manchester United

Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scored as newly promoted Hull beat Manchester United in Hull in the Premier League on 22 August 2026. The pair’s goals earned the Tigers victory in a match that left United searching for answers.

Ever since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement 13 years ago, Manchester United have been described as stuck in football’s equivalent of purgatory, and Michael Carrick’s permanent appointment was supposed to herald a new era at Old Trafford. Very little changed in this fixture, with United described as sluggish from start to finish and punished for failing to defend set-pieces. Hull returned to the Premier League and marked that return with goals from centre-backs Ajayi and Mendy.

Tensions flared early when Harry Maguire and Elliot Stroud clashed around the halfway line, a confrontation that provoked the home players and supporters and increased Hull’s intensity. Senne Lammens produced stops, saving once from Oli McBurnie and tipping over a Ryan Giles cross before a corner was whipped to the front, flicked to the back and met by McBurnie; Lammens kept out that shot on the line only for Semi Ajayi to smash home what was described as only a second league goal for the club.

McBurnie continued to cause problems with relentless running and physicality, while Ayden Heaven experienced Hull’s defensive challenges. Manchester United lacked a central striker presence, with Matheus Cunha used as a false nine and given license to roam, spending substantial time away from the centre-backs. Observers noted United looked like a side playing the first game of pre-season against an opponent reportedly midway through their campaign.

An avoidable free-kick conceded by Youri Tielemans led to another set-piece United struggled to defend: Regan Slater’s delivery was dangerous and Nobel Mendy headed a debut goal from close range. The half-time whistle prompted celebrations among the home supporters and left much of the away end sparsely populated as fans sought respite.

Michael Carrick made changes at the interval, removing the cautioned Patrick Dorgu and sending on the returning Marcus Rashford, who wore the No 9 shirt. Debutants Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, noted as having been signed for a combined total of £85m, were withdrawn with 23 minutes remaining after struggling to make an impact. Hull, who had the fourth worst defensive record in the Championship last season, did not need to attack in the second half and allowed United to try to break them down.

The hosts were described as deserving their win through a mixture of quality delivery, aggression and organisation, areas in which United were said to lack. After this result, United face Ipswich at home next and have, according to the report, increased the pressure on themselves.