Hull 2-0 Man United PLAYER RATINGS: Which star man looked desperately ordinary? Whose shortcomings were exposed? Who has a lot of learning still to do? And who scored only 3/10?

Manchester United’s new season optimism was extinguished across a bruising 90 minutes in which newly-promoted Hull City ran out deserved 2-0 winners.

Hull City have been widely predicted to go straight back down to the Championship, but they did a job on Michael Carrick’s United side here, who never looked at it from the first minute. 

Goals from centre backs Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy separated the sides but by the final whistle there was no dispute on who the better team was.  

Daily Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT was in position at the MKM Stadium to run the rule over both sets of players… 

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1) 

Senne Lammens – 7

Let down by his team-mates as he did everything he could to give United a platform for success. Parried away a powerful Oli McBurnie header 15 minutes in and then tipped over a Ryan Giles chance a minute later. Did his best from a chaotic set-piece before Semi Ajayi scored but defenders didn’t show up on the day. He deserved more.

Noussair Mazraoui – 4

Preferred at right back to Diogo Dalot, the Moroccan never got to grips with Ryan Giles, who was able to whip in crosses at will, and he didn’t come out of the opening goal with much credit. Failed to add much in attack, either.

Harry Maguire – 6

Lost sight of Ajayi amid the mayhem of the set piece that led to the opening goal but was the best of a bad bunch at the back as he did repel a lot of the aerial bombardment with his head. Made some line-breaking runs to try and open things up but his team-mates were just way too static.

Ayden Heaven – 4.5

Lost the key battle up against Oli McBurnie, and it was a tense affair that spilled over as they headed down the tunnel at half-time. Heaven is still learning his trade but this was an afternoon where he learned first hand just how crafty and wily experienced campaigners like McBurnie are. A tough afternoon.

Luke Shaw – 6

As part of United’s tactical shift to a 4-2-4 press out of possession, Shaw is picking up positions a lot higher up the pitch – but it is leaving a lot of space to exploit behind. Did get forward a lot and got into some good areas. Final ball needs work when United are at a height disadvantage – as they were here.

Andrey Santos – 4

The star of pre-season but he was unable to assert any dominance on a game that was crying out for a physical presence to pull United out of the mud. Will only get better but he needs to be set up for success. Was asked to cover way too much space at times here.

Youri Tielemans – 4

Showed flashes of his passing range but his shortcomings were also clear to see as Hull just ran roughshod past both Tielemans and Santos in the middle. Brings plenty of experience but he doesn’t possess the ability to dial up the speed of a game which United so badly needed here.

Bryan Mbeumo – 4.5

Drew two smart saves out of Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, one in either half, in a performance that was well shy of the levels we know he can produce. The Cameroonian was caught ball-watching in the lead-up to the opening goal which wasn’t a good look, either.

Bruno Fernandes – 5

Was deployed more advanced than we saw him last season until United were 2-0 down and he was back in the quarterback role that Ruben Amorim trusted him to do much deeper. So often he’s been able to inspire some magic out of nothing but even Fernandes looked desperately ordinary which just about summed up how bad United were.

Patrick Dorgu – 3

Not seen as a viable left back option for United, despite their desperate need in that area, so he got the nod at left wing, as he has throughout Carrick’s tenure. Kept tucking inside and running down blind alleys. Should have scored from a Maguire cross midway through the half. Hooked at half-time after making no real positive impact on the game. Booked.

Matheus Cunha – 4.5

Deployed through the middle as United ease Benjamin Sesko back into the fold and while the opening stages showed promise with Cunha’s fluid positioning confusing Hull, it soon became clear that a lack of a more orthodox focal point is a glaring issue. Played a brilliant through ball for Mbeumo which deserved an assist.

MANAGER: Michael Carrick – 4

That is now back to back games in which his side have been tactically beaten by back five teams. There was certainly a lot of blame to go around for the players but so few adjustments here made an impact on altering the flow of the game. That’s on the coaching.

SUBS

Marcus Rashford (for Patrick Dorgu, 46) – 6

Kobbie Mainoo (for Youri Tielemans, 67) – 6

Benjamin Sesko (for Andrey Santos, 67) – 5

Diogo Dalot (for Noussair Mazraoui, 80)

Shea Lacey (for Matheus Cunha, 80)

Hull City (3-4-2-1)

Tzolakis 7.5; Egan 7, Ajayi 8 (McNair 64, 6), Mendy 7 (Herrington 64. 7); Coyle 6 (Drameh 70, 6), Slater 8, Crooks 6, Giles 7.5 (Targett 85); Belloumi 6, Stroud 6 (Millar 70, 6); McBurnie 7

Goals: Ajayi (17), Mendy (38)

Manager: Sergej Jakirovic 9