I attended Saturday's match and it quickly became apparent that Manchester United were out of their depth against Hull City. While many will be quick to criticize Michael Carrick's side for a lack of intensity, aggression and purpose, the reality is a little more layered than a simple blame game. First, let’s acknowledge that United’s performance was undeniably poor. The team looked flat, disjointed and far from the sharpness expected at this level.
Carrick alone knows the exact reasons, but from the opening whistle it was evident that several key players were not yet at peak condition. Six members of the starting XI had enjoyed a full pre‑season, yet the midfield pairing of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos was still finding its rhythm together. On the bench, the options were even less encouraging: Benjamin Šeško had not logged a single minute in pre‑season, while Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford were still shaking off limited minutes after returning from England duty.
Hull, on the other hand, deserve massive credit. This was their first top‑flight appearance in nine years, and they arrived fully prepared, having completed a comprehensive pre‑season schedule.
Their organization, discipline and collective fitness were evident throughout the game, making United’s shortcomings look even more stark. A popular narrative circulating on social media claims that four of Carrick’s five defeats have come against teams employing a back five.
This is simply inaccurate. Two of those "defeats" were pre‑season fixtures – the opening friendly against Wrexham and a later match versus AC Milan under Ruben Amorim.
Using those games as a barometer for United’s ability to cope with a five‑man defence is misleading at best. What both the Hull loss and the previous poor showing against Leeds at Old Trafford share is a palpable physical deficiency. In both instances United seemed to lack the stamina, strength and overall physical presence required to compete for 90 minutes. That is likely to be the most pressing issue on Carrick’s mind heading into the next match.
Given these circumstances, I think it is reasonable to grant Carrick a degree of understanding for the Hull result. The squad simply wasn’t ready, and I would be surprised if United do not show a marked improvement against Ipswich Town on Sunday. Midfield has been United’s top priority this summer, and the club has poured more than £150 million into new signings, with Carlos Baleba being the latest addition.
Yet history repeats itself: once a glaring weakness is patched, another gap becomes evident. Looking back to 2025, United solved their attacking inefficiency by bringing in Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, only to expose the need for a stronger midfield. The club chose to wait a year rather than sign a stop‑gap midfielder, hoping for better options in the following summer window. A similar scenario now exists at left‑back.
After securing three midfield reinforcements, the need for a quality left‑back has become urgent, especially with Luke Shaw’s contract due to expire next summer. United have long admired Myles Lewis‑Skelly and Lewis Hall, and both are reportedly high on their wish list. However, both clubs have publicly dismissed any imminent transfer, and Bruno Guimarães’ injury further diminishes the likelihood of a Lewis‑Skelly move.
At present, United appear content to wait until the next summer window to address the defensive side of the team. While a last‑minute creative signing cannot be ruled out, the odds are slim.
Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde has been linked with a United move, but the English club has not made a serious pursuit of him. In the short term, the burden falls on Shaw to remain fit throughout the season, with Patrick Dorgu expected to step up as the long‑term solution at left‑back.
Both Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot can also cover the position when needed. Regarding potential departures, it looks unlikely that any first‑team regular will leave before the transfer deadline.
Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee was rumored to be on the market, but interest from Italian clubs has not materialised, and he is expected to stay. In summary, United’s flat performance against Hull should be viewed through a nuanced lens.
A combination of incomplete pre‑season preparation, lingering fitness issues among key players, and a well‑drilled opponent contributed to the defeat. While criticism is inevitable, the club’s broader strategic approach—investing heavily in midfield, planning for defensive upgrades, and managing player fitness—suggests that a single loss does not define Carrick’s tenure. The upcoming fixture against Ipswich will provide a clearer picture of whether United can translate their summer spending into on‑field cohesion and resilience.