Marcus Rashford Offers Hope for Man Utd—But Team Lacks Fight in Hull Shock
Manchester United began a campaign on Saturday with defeat for only the ninth time in 35 seasons of the modern era. But, with a visit to Hull City, it was the first time ever losing to newly promoted opposition on the opening weekend, Premier League or otherwise.
Preseason had gone well for Michael Carrick after landing the manager’s job on a permanent contract in May, but only 17 minutes of the season had elapsed when Hull defender Semi Ajayi converted a rebound after a corner. United dominated possession and had more attempts overall, but a second set-piece goal was their undoing towards the end of the first half. Nobel Mendy headed a Regan Slater free kick beyond Senne Lammens.
The second half was better from United, who made considerable strides forwards last season and have visions of winning the Premier League by May 2028, but Hull held firm.
United haven’t routinely faced newly-promoted clubs to start Premier League seasons—Fulham were narrowly beaten at Old Trafford in 2001 after threatening an almighty shock inspired by Louis Saha—but this was the antithesis of opening 2025–26 against eventual champions Arsenal and ought to have been much more favorable.
Set-Piece Goals, Duels Decisive in Loss
Both Hull goals were the result of set pieces and the Tigers otherwise offered very little threat.
It was a xG in open play of just 0.07, compared to 1.19 at set pieces. United created enough to score at least once (1.81 xG overall, 1.50 xG open play), although ironically lacked much set-piece threat of their own (0.30 xG set pieces).
Set pieces are going to remain hugely important in the Premier League this season. Offensively, it isn’t such a big deal if other chances are being created. But it’s an automatic disadvantage against any opponent—regardless of general quality and ability—if set pieces are a potential defensive weakness. Tightening that up should make a significant difference.
The other point of note is that United seemed to be caught a little cold by a host that was fired up. Beyond set pieces, the other great leveler in this sport is pure fight. Hull seemed to want it just a little bit more, winning 59% of all duels (60% on the ground, 58% in the air).
Rashford Plays
Although a transfer is still possible, it would be a genuine surprise at this point if Marcus Rashford is not still a Manchester United player come the morning of Sept. 2.
He has been handed the No. 9 shirt worn with distinction over the decades by club legends Sir Bobby Charlton, Andy Cole, Tommy Taylor, Jack Rowley and Brian McClair, not an insignificant jersey that would suggest the club does not expect a split in the next two weeks.
Rashford didn’t start the match, perhaps not a shock given that last weekend’s friendly against AC Milan was his only appearance of a heavily compressed preseason. But there was enough in 45 minutes of the second half—replacing Patrick Dorgu on the left flank at the interval—that the 28-year-old England international can be a productive contributor this season. His presence offered pace where it could be dangerous and while there were no shots from Rashford himself, the four chances he created were more than anyone else on the pitch.
The Red Devils went into the summer transfer window needing a left winger and might now finish it having found exactly that. Rashford is effectively a new signing, even with over 600 days separating his 426th United game in 2024 from his 427th this weekend.
United were better with Rashford in the game than they were without.
Sesko Lacks Match Sharpness
Benjamin Šeško enjoyed a promising debut season in 2025–26, scoring 11 Premier League goals. His slow start to the campaign could be attributed to settling into a new competition after a preseason dominated by a transfer saga. This year, he would have been hoping to hit the ground running—not least because Slovenia failed to qualify for the World Cup—only to lose preseason to a nagging fitness complaint lingering from May.
Having seen last season curtailed by injury, Šeško spent much of the summer working on an individual fitness program to prepare him for the new campaign.
He didn’t kick a ball in preseason, which wasn’t ideal, and coming off the bench for the final 23 minutes in Saturday’s defeat was his first action of any kind in almost four months. Even with United generally improving after halftime, the 23-year-old had only six touches of the ball, completed three passes, lost five out of six duels and registered no shots on or off target.
The talent is clearly there, but it may once more take a little bit of time for Šeško to get up and running.
