Hull City stun Manchester United with 2-0 win on Premier League return

Hull City marked their return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence with an unexpected 2-0 victory over Manchester United, a side that finished third in the league last season.

Manager Sergej Jakirovic's team took control in the first half, with goals from defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy — one of eleven new signings brought in over the summer. It was Hull's first league win over United since 1974, when the two sides met in the old Second Division.

Hull had entered the season as one of the bookmakers' favourites for relegation, having only reached the Premier League through last season's Championship play-offs. The club scraped into the play-off places on the final day of the regular season on goal difference, edging out Wrexham, before becoming the first team since Blackpool in 2010 to finish sixth and still win promotion through the play-offs.

Speaking after the match, Jakirovic said the team was still working to change perceptions among doubters, adding that while 37 games remain in the season, the win provides a solid foundation going forward. He also referenced recent comments from former Premier League players who had predicted Hull would finish bottom of the table on a podcast earlier in the week.

Goalscorer Ajayi said the squad was trying to block out outside noise and focus on performances rather than external opinions. Former England captains Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer, working as television pundits, praised Hull's organisation and work rate during the match.

Jakirovic added that the result could also help persuade transfer targets to join the club before the summer transfer window closes.