I attended the match on Saturday and it became evident early on that Manchester United were outmatched by Hull City. While critics will undoubtedly pounce on Michael Carrick’s side this week – lambasting them for a perceived lack of intensity, aggression and purpose – my impression after leaving Hull was that the situation is more layered than a simple case of complacency. First, let’s acknowledge that United’s performance was indeed sub‑par. The team looked disjointed, and only Carrick truly knows the internal reasons behind the display.
However, from the outset it was clear that several of his key players were not at the level of sharpness they will reach in the coming weeks. Six members of the first‑team squad had completed a full pre‑season programme, yet the midfield pairing of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos was still relatively new to each other, which contributed to a lack of cohesion in the centre of the park. The bench also highlighted fitness concerns.
Benjamin Šeško, who had not featured at all during pre‑season, was called upon, as were Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, both of whom have had limited minutes since returning from England duty over the summer. Their reduced match fitness inevitably affected the team’s overall tempo and physical presence.
Hull City, on the other hand, deserve a great deal of 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 and discipline were evident, and they were able to exploit United’s rustiness and lack of sharpness. A myth that has been circulating on social media deserves to be addressed: the claim that four of Carrick’s five defeats have come against teams employing a back five.
This is simply inaccurate. Two of those losses occurred in pre‑season fixtures – the opening game against Wrexham and the final friendly versus AC Milan under Ruben Amorim. Using those matches as a benchmark for United’s ability to handle a five‑man defence is misleading. When you compare the Hull loss to United’s poor showing against Leeds at Old Trafford last season, a pattern emerges.
Both games were marked by a noticeable physical deficiency. The players seemed to lack the stamina and robustness required at this level, and that is likely the primary issue Carrick will be focusing on in training sessions ahead of the next match. Given these factors, I am inclined to give Carrick a bit of a pass for the Hull result.
I would be genuinely surprised if United do not show a marked improvement when they face Ipswich Town on Sunday. The club has made midfield a priority this summer, splashing over £150 million on reinforcements, the latest being Carlos Baleba.
Yet, as has happened before, plugging one hole often reveals the next biggest gap. Looking back to the 2025 transfer window, United finally addressed their attacking inefficiencies by signing Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Once the forward line was bolstered, the midfield’s shortcomings became glaringly obvious, prompting a year‑long wait for a proper midfield overhaul. A similar situation now exists on the left‑back side of the pitch.
After securing three midfield signings, the need for a quality left‑back has become urgent, especially with Luke Shaw’s contract set to expire next summer. United have long admired Myles Lewis‑Skelly and Lewis Hall, and both are reportedly at the top of their scouting list. However, both clubs’ managers have dismissed any immediate transfer possibilities, and Bruno Guimarães’ injury further reduces the likelihood of a Lewis‑Skelly move.
Consequently, United appear prepared to defer a left‑back acquisition until the next window, focusing this summer on attack and midfield. That said, the market can be unpredictable. While Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde has been linked with United, the club has not shown strong intent to pursue him at this stage.
In the short term, United will have to rely heavily on Luke Shaw staying fit, with Patrick Dorgu earmarked as a long‑term solution at left‑back. Both Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot can also provide cover if needed. Regarding potential departures, it looks unlikely that any first‑team regulars will leave before the deadline. The only name that has generated some speculation is Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee, but interest from Italian clubs has yet to materialise into a concrete offer, suggesting he will remain at Old Trafford for now.
In summary, while the defeat to Hull was disappointing, it should be viewed within the broader context of squad fitness, pre‑season preparation, and the natural growing pains of integrating new signings. Carrick’s side has the resources and talent to bounce back, and a more competitive performance against Ipswich would confirm that the early setbacks are simply part of a longer rebuilding process.