Bruno Fernandes directly called out four aspects of Manchester United's performance following their opening-day defeat to Hull City. The Red Devils, touted as a potential title candidate, were humbled by the Premier League newbies, who netted twice from set pieces to hand United a nightmare start to the 2026/27 campaign.
Fernandes highlights repeated errors
Commenting on the performance, Fernandes told TNT Sports: “Same mistakes as we did last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to them. In the first 20 minutes, the goalkeeper was the one with the most touches.
“We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals. Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment. We knew before the game set-pieces would be a big part of their game. They played all pre-season with a back four but had a five against us for some height, for these moments. The most frustrating thing is that we lost the game.”
Carrick admits improvement needed
Manager Carrick wasn't impressed by his team's efforts in Yorkshire on opening day. He told TNT Sports: "We have a bit to improve on, it was never going to be perfect going behind makes it more difficult, against a promoted team at home, we can't give them much and they had opportunities, we're disappointed but it won't knock us."
Adding: "It's for us to know and to improve during the week and keep getting stronger as a group and we have a lot to learn from it... Two goals is frustrating anyway, they decide the game today and there's things to improve on, one game doesn't change the direction of everything. It doesn't change the direction of the football club."
Set pieces decide the contest
After months of optimism in pre-season, United were abject for the most part and were deservedly beaten by the recently promoted side. Hull took the lead after just 17 minutes when Semi Ajayi was on hand to smash the ball into an empty net after Oli McBurnie forced a strong save from Senne Lammens.
Set pieces continued to cause United problems, and the second goal once again arrived from a cross. Regan Slater's deep cross found the head of Nobel Mendy, who rose highest to nod home and put the Tigers into dreamland. With a two-goal lead at the break, Hull retreated after the break, but they were barely threatened by United's attackers. Bryan Mbeumo fluffed a 1vs1, but that was about as close as Carrick's side got to finding the back of the net.
