Ajayi header and Mendy debut goals hand Hull shock win over Manchester United
Newly-promoted Hull City stunned Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium on 22 August 2026 as two first-half goals secured victory on Hull's return to the Premier League. BBC Sport's player ratings for the match are below, with readers able to compare their own scores at the foot of the page.
BBC Sport provided individual assessments for both sides after Hull's win, listing player-by-player ratings and short evaluations of performances. The ratings page includes notes such as Konstantinos Tzolakis's one-handed save and Semi Ajayi's headed rebound, and advises readers they can see how they scored the players at the bottom of the article. Photographs from the game include a mid-match clash between Manchester United's Harry Maguire and Hull's Elliot Stroud.
Semi Ajayi was awarded the match's highest rating, a 9, for smashing home the rebound that gave Hull the lead and for his defensive presence described as "A rock at the back." The report notes that it was Ajayi's first Premier League goal since January 2021, when he scored for West Brom at Wolves.
Nobel Mendy, on his debut, received an 8 after converting Hull's second goal and producing defensively sound contributions and clearances when required. Regan Slater was rated 7 for a curled free-kick that invited Mendy to attack the ball, while Oli McBurnie earned an 8 for posing a constant threat to Manchester United despite not scoring.
Konstantinos Tzolakis was given an 8 for producing an "excellent one-handed save to turn away Mbeumo's angled drive" and for being commanding on high balls, with the note "Really good debut." John Egan was rated 8 for his role in a defensive three and for stepping into midfield when Hull had possession; Matt Crooks also received an 8 for dominating the central midfield battle and providing energetic forward runs.
Among Hull's flank players, Lewie Coyle and Ryan Giles were each rated 7 for their attacking contributions from wide areas and for recovering defensively when needed. Mohamed Belloumi was rated 8 for a composed performance with tidy short passes, and substitutes such as Paddy McNair, Lucas Herrington and Liam Millar were noted for solid, if quieter, contributions, each receiving a 6.
For Manchester United, goalkeeper Senne Lammens was rated 7 after making two good saves and blocking McBurnie's attempt that led to Ajayi's goal, described as one of the visitors' better performers despite the scoreline. Harry Maguire was given a 6 and was said to have had a "tough day on his return to Hull," while other United midfielders and attackers — including Bruno Fernandes (5), Bryan Mbeumo (5) and Andrey Santos (5) — received ratings reflecting limited influence; Patrick Dorgu was rated 4 and was substituted at half-time after being booked.
The ratings list also records substitutions and their scores: Marcus Rashford came on at half-time for Manchester United in what the article states was "his first Manchester United appearance since December 2024" and was rated 5; Benjamin Sesko and Kobbie Mainoo, both introduced later, were rated 5. After the match, BBC Sport invited readers to "Rate players out of 10 for this game," noting the rater closes 30 minutes after the final whistle and that, once closed, the displayed score will represent the average from all BBC Sport user submissions.
