I attended Saturday's match in Hull and it quickly became apparent that Manchester United were not competitive against the home side. While critics will undoubtedly heap criticism on Michael Carrick's team ahead of their upcoming league fixture against Ipswich – citing a lack of intensity, aggression and purpose – the reality is a little more nuanced than a simple blame game. First, let’s acknowledge that United delivered a sub‑par performance. Carrick’s eleven simply did not execute, and only he knows the exact reasons behind the collapse.
From the opening whistle, however, it was evident that several key players were not at the level of sharpness they will enjoy once the season settles in. Six members of Carrick’s regular starting XI had completed a full pre‑season programme, yet the midfield pairing of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos was still finding its rhythm together. On the bench, the options were even less ideal: Benjamin Sesko had not featured at all during pre‑season, while Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford were still regaining match fitness after returning from international duty over the summer.
Hull City, on the other hand, deserve considerable credit. This was their first Premier League appearance in nine years, and they arrived fully prepared, having completed a comprehensive pre‑season schedule.
Their organization, tactical discipline and physical readiness were evident throughout the game, making United’s deficiencies all the more stark. A common narrative circulating on social media claims that four of Carrick’s five defeats have come at the hands of teams employing a back‑five formation. That assertion simply does not hold up under scrutiny. Two of those matches were pre‑season friendlies – United’s opening summer game against Wrexham and a later contest against AC Milan under manager Ruben Amorim.
Using those exhibitions as a barometer for tactical weakness is misleading. When I compare the Hull loss to United’s poor display against Leeds United at Old Trafford last season, a pattern emerges.
Both games were marked by a noticeable lack of physical presence, a shortfall that will likely dominate Carrick’s thoughts in the coming weeks. The team seemed flat, struggling to win duels and impose itself in midfield battles. In that sense, the Hull result deserves a measured response rather than outright condemnation.
I am prepared to give Carrick a bit of a pass for this setback, and I would be surprised if United do not show a marked improvement when they host Ipswich Town on Sunday. The midfield was identified as a priority heading into the campaign, and the club has already invested over £150 million in new talent, with Carlos Baleba being the latest addition. However, United now find themselves in a familiar situation: plugging one hole often reveals the next biggest gap in the squad.
Looking back to the 2025 transfer window, United finally solved their attacking inefficiencies by signing Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Once those forward positions were bolstered, the need for a stronger midfield became glaringly obvious.
The club chose to wait a full year rather than rush in a stop‑gap midfielder, hoping the market would offer better options the following summer. A similar dilemma exists on the left‑back front.
After securing three midfield reinforcements, the search for a quality left‑back has intensified, especially with Luke Shaw’s contract due to expire next summer. Myles Lewis‑Skelly and Lewis Hall have long been on United’s radar for that role, but both clubs have publicly dismissed any immediate transfer possibilities. Bruno Guimarães’ recent injury further reduces the likelihood of a Lewis‑Skelly move. Consequently, United appear content to defer a permanent left‑back signing until the next window, relying instead on Patrick Dorgu, who is seen as a long‑term solution, and on the versatility of senior defenders like Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot to cover when needed.
Regarding departures, the current transfer deadline does not suggest any first‑team exits. Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee was linked with a move to Italy, but no concrete offer has materialised, and he is expected to remain at Old Trafford. In summary, while the Hull defeat was undeniably disappointing, it should be viewed within the broader context of squad fitness, pre‑season preparation, and the inevitable growing pains of integrating new players. Carrick’s side faced a well‑drilled opponent that had enjoyed a full build‑up, whereas United were still ironing out cohesion issues, especially in midfield.
The criticism aimed at the team’s lack of intensity is not entirely unfounded, yet it overlooks the nuanced factors such as player fitness, tactical adaptation and the quality of the opposition. Looking ahead, United have the resources and the strategic plan to address their shortcomings. The midfield overhaul is already underway, and the left‑back position will likely see decisive action in the next transfer window.
For now, the focus should be on learning from the Hull experience, sharpening the squad’s physical edge, and delivering a stronger performance against Ipswich. If United can translate their investment into on‑field cohesion, the early season hiccup may prove to be a mere footnote in an otherwise promising campaign.