Jakirovic kept back-five plan secret as Hull stun Manchester United 2-0

Hull City defeated Manchester United 2-0 on Saturday in their opening Premier League fixture, using a back-five system to secure the result as the Tigers returned to the top flight.

Assistant head coach Dean Holden told Match of the Day that manager Sergej Jakirovic had kept the tactical change under wraps for weeks as Hull made their first Premier League appearance in nine years after promotion via the play-offs.

Holden said: "We certainly didn't copy Ruben Amorim." He added that Jakirovic "had it in the back of his mind for three or four weeks that he was thinking of playing a back five. He didn't want to give anything away in pre-season, so we played a back four."

Jakirovic had studied some of Manchester United's pre-season fixtures, including their 4-2 defeat by AC Milan, and Holden said the coaching staff used Milan clips in preparation. Holden also noted that "Leeds the week before played a back three too, so that helped us with players where the systems looked similar."

Hull took the lead in the first half through Semi Ajayi and added a second first-half goal from Nobel Mendy, securing their first league victory over United since 1974; the Tigers recorded just 28% possession in the match and beat a United side who finished third in the Premier League last season.

On Hull's approach away from possession, Holden said: "We are comfortable without the ball, so it is not like we are coming up here having dominated the Championship and now we have to change," and: "We are comfortable in that mid-block, that is one of our biggest strengths. Counter-attack as well." He added: "Sunderland set the trend with Leeds in terms of teams who have come up, and for us, it is about belief. We have a group of lads who have done the hard yards, there is no real superstars in there. The manager is the same, very humble. Feet will be firmly on the ground."

Jakirovic's side had been tipped as favourites to finish bottom after only squeezing into the play-offs on the final day last season; they became the first team to finish sixth and win the play-offs in 16 years when they beat Middlesbrough in the final. The squad's recent trajectory included narrowly avoiding relegation to League One 15 months earlier, remaining in the Championship on goal difference in 2024-25, and three of the players who started the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth that secured their Championship status also started against United. Former Oldham Athletic, Bristol City and Charlton manager Dean Holden joined the Tigers that summer.

"We are aiming to stay in the league. It is the hardest thing to do and then you build on top of that," Holden said, and added: "But a win at home in the first game is beyond anyone's dreams really. The performance is the biggest thing, the confidence, the belief, will stand us in good stead."