Ajayi and Mendy Give Hull Dream Premier League Return Against Manchester United

Hull City marked their return to the Premier League with a 2-0 home victory over Manchester United on Saturday, August 22. First-half goals from central defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy settled Hull's first match in the competition for nine years. BBC Sport reported that it was the club's first league win against United since a Second Division victory in 1974.

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Ajayi opened the scoring after Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens tipped Oli McBurnie's shot onto the post. The 32-year-old Nigeria international reacted to the loose ball to put Hull ahead. Mendy then doubled the advantage by heading in a free-kick delivered by Regan Slater, giving the promoted side control before halftime.

The result completed a sharp reversal from Hull's previous Premier League appearance, a 7-1 home defeat by Tottenham in May 2017. Sergej Jakirovic's team returned to the top division through last season's Championship play-offs after finishing sixth. Hull beat Millwall in the semi-finals and defeated Middlesbrough 1-0 in the final to secure promotion.

Only three of Hull's 11 summer signings started against United. Goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, defender Mendy and winger Elliot Stroud were included from the beginning, while Lucas Herrington and Matt Targett made appearances from the bench. Five members of the starting side had also been at Hull when the club avoided relegation from the Championship on goal difference in 2025.

BBC Sport said Hull's organization and work without the ball were central to the win. Former England captains Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer, working as BBC pundits, both praised the promoted side's collective performance. Rooney highlighted Hull's defensive shape and their use of deliveries into the penalty area, while Shearer judged them clearly superior on the day.

Jakirovic acknowledged after the match that 37 league games remain, but described the victory as a useful foundation for the season. Ajayi also cautioned that one result would not settle questions about Hull's prospects. For Manchester United, who entered the campaign after finishing third last season, the defeat meant an immediate setback. Hull instead began their survival effort with three points and a clean sheet against one of the division's established clubs.