Hull City 2-0 Manchester United: 72% of the ball, and not one thing to show for it
Two set pieces from Regan Slater, two goals before half-time, and Hull's first league win over Manchester United since 1974. United had 21 shots and 71.5% possession. They also had nothing.
Manchester United had 71.5% of the ball, 21 shots and 574 accurate passes at the MKM Stadium. Hull City had two set pieces' worth of ideas and three points.
Semi Ajayi poked in the opener at 17 after Regan Slater's corner caused chaos United never got under control. At 38, Slater again — this time a free-kick to the back post — and Nobel Mendy headed the second. Two dead balls, two goals, game gone before the break.
It is Hull's first league win over Manchester United since 1974, and exactly the kind of afternoon that makes a promoted side believe the season is survivable.
United's problem was never the ball
Michael Carrick's side did not lack possession. They lacked anything to do with it. Five shots on target from 21 attempts, and their clearest second-half moment — Bryan Mbeumo, through on goal — was pushed away by Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Marcus Rashford came on at half-time for Patrick Dorgu, his first competitive appearance for United in 618 days. It changed the noise in the ground rather more than it changed the game.
The expected goals line is the uncomfortable part for Hull's celebration and for United's inquest alike: 1.81 to 1.26 in United's favour. This was not a smash-and-grab. Hull created nearly as much from a quarter of the ball.
Match facts
- 17' — Semi Ajayi (Hull City), from a Regan Slater corner
- 38' — Nobel Mendy (Hull City), header from a Regan Slater free-kick
- HT — Marcus Rashford on for Dorgu: first United appearance in 618 days
- Hull's first league win over Manchester United since 1974
| Stat | Hull City | Manchester United |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 28.5% | 71.5% |
| Total shots | 8 | 21 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 5 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 1.26 | 1.81 |
| Corners | 1 | 6 |
| Fouls conceded | 10 | 9 |
| Offsides | 0 | 3 |
| Yellow cards | 2 | 1 |
How it unfolded
Hull defended deep, defended well, and waited for dead balls. Slater delivered both of them. Ajayi's finish was scrappy and close range; Mendy's was a clean header at the far post from a free-kick United simply did not track.
The second half was 45 minutes of United passing sideways in front of a back line that never broke. Tzolakis made five saves. Hull won 50 duels to United's 35 — the number that best explains why the visitors never found a way through.
What's next
Hull travel to Coventry City on Saturday 29 August, promoted against promoted, with a real chance of starting the season on six points. Manchester United host Ipswich Town on Sunday 30 August — another promoted side, and already a game they cannot afford to treat casually.
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