Manchester United suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City on the opening day of the new Premier League season, with the home crowd taunting the visitors as the game slipped away.
After Hull's second goal, chants of "Who are ya?" and "You're getting mauled by the Tigers" rang around the MKM Stadium, leaving United's players looking shell-shocked. Bruno Fernandes pleaded with the referee, Youri Tielemans threw his arms in the air, and the rest of the squad appeared sheepish.
Physical mismatch and midfield struggles
Hull finished sixth in the Championship last season, while United were third in the Premier League, making the result an unexpected one. The first half ended with Ayden Heaven arguing with Oli McBurnie as the teams headed down the tunnel, after Heaven felt he was fouled for Semi Ajayi's opening goal but was outmuscled by the experienced forward.
McBurnie gave Hull a focal point that United lacked. Benjamin Sesko returned to the squad after recovering from a shin injury but was undercooked, having not played a single minute during pre-season. Early warning signs appeared as Noussair Mazraoui cleared a dangerous cross to stop McBurnie, and Senne Lammens was forced into action.
Michael Carrick had problems at both ends of the pitch. His defence looked shaky, his attack was not firing, and the new-look midfield of Andrey Santos, Tielemans, and Fernandes failed to control the game.
Touchline contrast and Rashford's return
Carrick's touchline behaviour remained calm, as it has been since he took over from Ruben Amorim, even after Nobel Mendy made it 2-0. The manner of both goals was concerning, with Harry Maguire the only player who looked capable of dealing with Hull's physicality. United may regret not adding more height to their squad this summer.
The contrast between Hull manager Sergej Jakirović and Carrick was stark. The Bosnian could not stand still on the touchline, while Carrick carefully picked his moments to pass on instructions. Steve Holland continues to be a valued sounding board for Carrick, who sought his assistant's counsel for the first time as half-time approached.
Marcus Rashford was sent out to warm up during the interval, receiving warm applause and cheers from the away section after his 18-month exile. Carrick had praised Rashford for training "fantastically well" in the build-up, and it was confirmed he had been given the No.9 shirt before kick-off. His first act was a defensive header, and the 28-year-old will know he must contribute in his own box as well as the opposition's for his unexpected second chance to work.
No focal point and a looming test
Rashford's introduction came at the expense of Patrick Dorgu, so United's problem of not having a focal point remained. Matheus Cunha looked lost down the middle and struggled to get into the game.
Carrick had warned that Hull would not be an easy game, but there is no excuse for failing to beat them. Huge optimism for the new season, increased by the news of United's agreement to sign Carlos Baleba, was brought back down to earth by the result.
United's failure to make the ball stick up front showed that Sesko needs to get back up to speed as quickly as possible. United looked better when he came on with 20 minutes remaining, but the Slovenia international will need time to get match fit. He is a solution to one of United's biggest problems on Saturday, yet he is not ready.
Carrick seemed happy to go into the new season with Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha as makeshift options down the middle, and it worked successfully last term, but you go backwards if you stand still in the top-flight. It wasn't supposed to start like this for Carrick, and suddenly next weekend's game against Ipswich Town becomes even more interesting.
