Manchester United lost to a newly promoted side on the opening day of a top-flight league season for the first time when they were defeated by Hull City 2-0 on Saturday, starting the new campaign off with a whimper.
Before this match, they had a spotless record in the opening day vs a newly promoted team, winning 9 and drawing 3.
United were shocked in the 17th minute when Semi Ajayi opened the scoring when he was in the right place at the right time to tap in a rebound after Senne Lammens had made a save. The day worsened for the Red Devils when Nobel Mendy doubled Hull’s lead in the 38th minute, as he scored from a delivery off a set piece.
United’s clearest chance came in the 78th minute when Bryan Mbuemo’s shot was saved by Hull keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Meanwhile, United reportedly reached an agreement with Brighton to sign Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba for up to 70 million pounds ($95 million) on Friday. United will pay an initial 65 million pounds plus a potential 5 million pounds in add-ons, according to the BBC. Brighton also negotiated a sell-on clause.
The 22-year-old Baleba left Lille for Brighton in 2023. The BBC said he was currently sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained in preseason training in Austria.
Michael Carrick’s United has undergone a midfield rebuild this summer after the departure of the influential Casemiro and before Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury.
United last month signed Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans and Chelsea’s Andrey Santos.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Newcomer Christos Tzolis helped set up two goals as defending champion Arsenal opened the Premier League season by dismantling promoted Coventry 3-0 to spoil the visitor’s long-awaited return to the top flight.
After ending a 22-year wait for the Premier League title, Arsenal showed why it’s favored to repeat as champion by completely dominating Frank Lampard’s side in a game that was one-sided from start to finish.
Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard scored for the Gunners, who spurned chances to pad the scoreline even further.
For Coventry, it was a rude welcome back to the Premier League after a 25-year absence. Having won the second-tier Championship last season by a wide margin, Lampard’s side simply looked outmatched as it was repeatedly taken apart by a marauding Arsenal.