A bad start to the new campaign for Michael Carrick’s Reds.
Manchester United fell 2-0 on the road at Hull City on Saturday to kick off opening weekend with a whimper. It was reminiscent of some past tired starts to the season with a disjointed XI, returning World Cup talent, new signings still finding their place, etc. It was also an unfortunate reminder that playing flat and conceding chances on set pieces gets you punished every week.
There was plenty of excitement heading into the season that may
have been undone for some in a quick 90 mins, but it is only the first week and United are back at home next week.
The Reds came out looking flat and underwhelming against a home side that was ready to go for its first match back in the top flight.
Hull City’s attack isn’t the quickest, but it was quick to apply pressure, spring for loose balls and force turnovers. It was enough for the Reds to play themselves into trouble early, going down 2-0 from set pieces. The first came from a corner as Oli McBurnie broke free at the back post. His effort was turned away from goal, but Semi Ajayi was free to attack the rebound as Noussair Mazraoui and Harry Maguire were left marking each other rather than the opposing centre-back.
The second goal similarly came from a set piece. A free kick was fired in from an angle and again the United right back was found lacking as he saw his man, Nobel Mendy, head the cross home with eight minutes to go in the first half.
United had some chances, but only two real looks at goal. Patrick Dorgu had a misconnect on a cross go wide of the target, and Bryan Mbeumo had an early look on the volley, palmed away by Tzolakis. Cunha had the other effort on target, but it was an easy save for the Hull City keeper.
Carrick made one change for the second half, sending on Marcus Rashford to replace Dorgu after a poor first half from him on the left. It was like-for-like with no formation or positional changes. The struggles continued, though there was some spark on the left with Luke Shaw and Rashford reunited. The new No. 9 for United nearly got on the end of a couple of balls through the last line, but both passes were too close to the keeper.
Carrick sent on Kobbie Mainoo and Benjamin Sesko with a little over 20 minutes left in the 90, and Diogo Dalot and Shea Lacey arrived for the final 10 minutes.
As the game drew closer to the final whistle the urgency picked up. Mbeumo had a good effort created by Cunha, again denied by Tzolakis, and a header back across goal on the following corner was just a bit too high for the Brazilian to turn on target.
Tactically, it wasn’t much new for United fans. The team let Hull get comfortable in the first half and only had to sit deep and defend in the second half. Their return to the top flight went to script and United could only spam crosses by the end of the match. For a promoted side with a pretty poor defensive record in the Championship, they looked pretty comfortable dealing with the disjointed attacks United threw at them.
The Reds will face Ipswich Town at Old Trafford next weekend.
