How Hull City kept their plan to stun Manchester United secret

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic kept his tactical plan to beat Manchester United under wraps for weeks, assistant head coach Dean Holden told Match of the Day.

The Tigers claimed a 2-0 win over Michael Carrick's Manchester United on Saturday, deploying a back-five system that caught their opponents off guard. First-half goals from defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy secured Hull's first league win over United since 1974. It marked Hull's first Premier League appearance in nine years, following their promotion through last season's play-offs.

A hidden plan

Holden revealed that Jakirovic had been considering the switch to a back five for three or four weeks but deliberately used a back four throughout pre-season to avoid revealing his intentions. The idea was partly informed by watching United's pre-season matches, including a heavy defeat to AC Milan under former United boss Ruben Amorim, as well as Leeds' use of a back three the previous week. Holden stressed, however, that Hull did not simply copy Amorim's approach.

Comfortable without the ball

The win was made more notable by the fact Hull had just 28% possession. Holden said the team is accustomed to playing with less of the ball, relying on a solid mid-block and counter-attacking, qualities that served them well throughout their Championship campaign.

From relegation scare to the Premier League

Just 15 months earlier, Hull had come close to relegation to League One, staying in the Championship only on goal difference during the 2024-25 season. Last season, they became the first team in 16 years to finish sixth and still win promotion through the play-offs, beating Middlesbrough in the final. Three players who started Hull's decisive 1-1 draw with Portsmouth on the final day of that Championship-saving season also featured in the win over United. Holden said the club's focus remains simply on staying in the Premier League.