HULL, England, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Manchester United arrived in Hull on Saturday riding a wave of optimism that had not washed over Old Trafford for years. They departed the east coast after a shock Premier League defeat that left manager Michael Carrick with uncomfortable questions to answer.
The 2-0 defeat by promoted Hull City was only one game, but it felt like a sudden cold shower after eight months of sunshine.
Since replacing Ruben Amorim in January, Carrick had overseen a revival, dragging a confidence-starved team from mid-table obscurity to a third-place finish. United collected 39 points from 17 league games under their new manager, more than any other side in that span.
Carrick brought clarity, confidence and attacking intent, while signings including Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos -- with Brighton's Carlos Baleba on the way -- strengthened the feeling that United might finally be ready to rejoin the league's elite after 13 years without a title.
Hull shredded those dreams for an afternoon.
"Obviously, bits to improve on," Carrick told TNT Sports. "It was never going to be perfect today, but going behind and giving ourselves a lot to do makes it more difficult.
"Probably a typical one of those games with a newly promoted team at home. We can't give them much, they've got a lot to hold on to, and then after (their two goals), we had moments, we had opportunities.
"We just didn't have that spark to then put the chances away or create any more. So yeah, listen, we're bitterly disappointed with the result today, but it won't it won't knock us."
ORANGE SMOKE
Plumes of orange smoke exploded above the MKM Stadium before kickoff and black-and-orange scarves twirled in celebration of the Tigers' return to the top flight after nine years away.
By halftime, the party was in full swing. Hull were quicker, stronger and more dangerous than their visitors, racing into a two-goal lead through Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy as United twice crumbled at set-pieces.
United finished with 72% possession, but it felt like possession without purpose. Centre back Harry Maguire was among their most threatening attacking outlets.
Bryan Mbeumo forced one of the few meaningful saves from Konstantinos Tzolakis, but Hull's goalkeeper was otherwise little more than a spectator.
Even Marcus Rashford's long-awaited return could not spark a comeback. Making his first United appearance since December 2024 after his exile under Amorim and loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona, Rashford showed flashes of sharpness but received precious little service.
"I'm not going into areas now (that need improvement)," Carrick said. "It's for us to know. He'll keep improving through the week and through the games, and when we keep getting stronger as a group, that will come. Today is a game we can't ignore. We have a lot to learn from it. But we will."
As Hull fans taunted the away support with chants of "You're getting mauled by the Tigers", the humiliation was complete. When the stadium announcer informed United's travelling fans that two trains back to Manchester had been cancelled, home fans quickly found a punchline.
"You're going home in a taxi."
For Hull, it was a first league victory over United in 52 years. For Carrick, it was a reminder that momentum is fragile.
"It is one game. First game of the season. It is disappointing enough, it hurts, of course it does," he said. "But it doesn't change the whole course of direction the team is going in or the football club. We will stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week."
(Reporting by Lori Ewing in Manchester, editing by Ed Osmond)
