In the opening match of the new Premier League season, Manchester United suffered a shocking 0-2 defeat to Hull City. Following the match, the Daily Mail wrote that, based on this performance, talk of Manchester United winning the title is a joke. The team made frequent errors, played at a slow tempo, and displayed numerous defensive weaknesses, suffering a heavy blow.

Carrick had previously stated that the idea Manchester United would have an easy start to the season, playing away against Hull City, was unrealistic.

But even in his worst nightmares, Carrick could not have imagined such a scenario: being humiliated by the opposition in the season opener. Hull City had only just secured promotion to the Premier League in May through the Championship playoff finals. Over the summer, the club spent only £70 million to bring in 12 players—exactly the same amount Manchester United paid for Balaba alone from Brighton.

For Hull City, this was a historic day. The credit belongs to the players, the fans, the manager, and their charismatic owner, Acun Ilıcalı.

This was the first time in Hull City's history that they have beaten Manchester United in the Premier League, a victory that local fans will talk about for years to come.

What about Manchester United? At this moment, Carrick seems to have been transported back to Turf Moor in August 2009. In Manchester United's opening away match that season, they suffered an embarrassing defeat to Burnley, and Carrick also failed to convert a penalty that day. This match also recalls Manchester United's 0-4 humiliation against Brentford four years ago.

The poor performance in this match is even worse. This summer, the arrivals of André-Santos and Youri Tielemans brought cautious optimism, but this new midfield pairing completely failed to deliver. Both made their Premier League debut for Manchester United, and with the team already two goals down, both were substituted in the second half. Against Matty Crooks and Slater, they were completely outmatched; Slater had only recently been recruited from Sheffield United for £50,000 in 2022.

Based on this match alone, calling Manchester United title contenders sounds like a joke.

The team made frequent errors, played at a slow tempo, and displayed numerous defensive weaknesses, suffering a heavy blow.

What has truly become a hot topic, however, is Manchester United's incomplete transfer business: a new striker has yet to arrive, Luke Shaw lacks reserve defensive cover, and Balaba, recruited as a third midfielder, arrived too late to be match-fit for the season's start.

Carrick has lost only twice in 17 matches since taking over the team in January, so this defeat represents a major setback. Earlier this week, he stated that calling Manchester United title contenders was somewhat "too ambitious." Based on this performance, such a statement is simply a joke.

Let's look at this match objectively: Hull City's starting lineup included 8 players who were part of the team that beat Middlesbrough in the Championship playoff final in May, and they have returned to the Premier League after nine years away. Many, notably Joe Cole, had previously predicted this team would be relegated.

Carrick has repeatedly emphasized that this is just one match. However, next weekend, when Manchester United return to Old Trafford to face another newly promoted Premier League side, Ipswich, if they lose again, the pressure will be immense.

Hull City fans had previously mocked Joe Cole for underestimating their team, and in this match they enjoyed the barely concealed schadenfreude from the stadium announcer, who informed Manchester United supporters that two trains returning to Manchester had been cancelled.

The fans taunted the visiting Manchester United supporters, shouting: "You'll have to take a taxi home!" Most Manchester United fans had left before the final whistle.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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