Hull vs. Man Utd: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Manchester United kick off their 2026–27 Premier League campaign by visiting newly promoted Hull City on Saturday.

The Red Devils finished last season on a high after Michael Carrick masterminded a remarkable resurgence which culminated in Champions League qualification. Confidence is through the roof and optimism has once again swept the stands at Old Trafford.

United’s iffy preseason form has soured the mood ever so slightly, with only two wins from six total friendlies. Bookended by defeats to Wrexham and Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan, their warmup schedule included hard-fought draws with Leeds United and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as wins over Rosenborg and Atlético Madrid.

Their journey to the MKM Stadium will mark a first meeting with Hull in nine years, with the 2016–17 season the last time the Tigers were in England’s top flight. After many years of Championship mediocrity and even one season in League One, they have returned under the excellent tutelage of Sergej Jakirović.

Last term’s Championship playoff winners have been dealt an awkward opener and will be reliant on rust in the United ranks to pull off a shock. After significant summer investment, they will hope some of their fresh faces can dazzle on debut.

Hull vs. Man Utd Score Prediction

Red Devils Make Winning Start

Visiting a promoted side during the opening round is seldom straightforward. The home support will be deafening at the MKM Stadium and adrenaline could carry Hull’s players through the game’s tough spells. United cannot afford complacency.

However, Carrick’s side should still make a winning start to his permanent reign without having to overly exert themselves.

The addition of midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos has bolstered one of United’s problem positions from last season, and the pair will support a star-studded front four which contains last term’s Premier League Player of the Season Bruno Fernandes. There’s so much quality across the team, even if there remain question marks over the defense.

Hull will rally and undoubtedly fight to the death, but their comparative lack of finesse will likely see them come up short.

Head-to-head record: While it’s been nearly a decade since the last duel, Hull have seriously struggled in this fixture. United have never lost to their weekend opponents in the Premier League and have only suffered one defeat in the previous 14 meetings across all competitions.

United momentum: Three months might have passed since United’s last competitive fixture, but there’s no shortage of confidence in their ranks. Since Carrick took charge in January, no team has picked up more Premier League points than their 39.

Fernandes factor: United’s captain has often dragged them through difficult periods, but he’s been better than ever during the club’s navigation of calmer waters in 2026. After breaking the Premier League assist record last season and being crowned the competition’s best player, he’s likely to be his side’s talisman again this term.

Prediction: Hull 1–3 Man Utd

Hull Predicted Lineup vs. Man Utd

Hull have added plenty of depth to their roster over the summer, which will come in handy amid their current injury issues.

While Jakirović has hinted at the involvement of new midfielder Hidemasa Morita after his recent recovery from injury, Hull will be without summer recruits Óscar Zambrano, Jack Butland and Joe Gelhardt.

Elsewhere, Charlie Hughes, Paddy McNair, Matty Jacob, Darko Gyabi and Eliot Matazo are all missing, but Cody Drameh is once again available after a hamstring issue.

New signings will undoubtedly be handed official debuts, including goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, center back Nobel Mendy and midfielder Jens Hjertø-Dahl.

Hull predicted lineup vs. Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Tzolakis; Coyle, Ajayi, Mendy, Giles; Slater, Crooks; Belloumi, Hjertø-Dahl, Stroud; McBurnie.

Man Utd Predicted Lineup vs. Hull

Carrick will be forced to continue without Matthijs de Ligt for the time being, with the center back missing since last November but edging toward a comeback. Manuel Ugarte joined him in the treatment room over the summer after tearing his ACL.

Benjamin Šeško didn’t feature in preseason due to injury, but could make United’s matchday squad at Hull. Mason Mount is a doubt, however, after another setback during the friendly with PSG.

Bryan Mbeumo should lead the line for the time being, with Tielemans and Santos likely to start in the midfield double pivot. Ayden Heaven could start ahead of Lisandro Martínez at center back, with the latter still yet to reach full match sharpness after an extended post-World Cup break was complicated by a thigh injury.

Third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton is absent with a hamstring complaint, meaning summer signing Karl Darlow will feature on the bench after recovering from a recent ailment himself.

Man Utd predicted lineup vs. Hull (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Santos, Tielemans; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.

What Time Does Hull vs. Man Utd Kick Off?

Location: Hull, England

Stadium: MKM Stadium

Date: Saturday, Aug. 22

Kick-off Time: 12:30 p.m. BST / 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT

Referee: Darren England

VAR: Michael Salisbury

How to Watch Hull vs. Man Utd on TV, Live Stream

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