Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic revealed his team practiced set-pieces on Friday after spotting Manchester United's struggles when defending them. United were the heavy favourites to beat the newly-promoted side but were second best at the MKM Stadium.
Two set-piece goals sink United
They fell behind on 17 minutes when a whipped corner picked out Oli McBurnie at the back post. His strike was saved but Semi Ajayi slammed home the rebound.
The Tigers then added a second, this time from a free-kick. Regan Slater's delivery picked out Nobel Mendy whose header put the game beyond United.
Jakirovic explains the plan
United tried to rally in the second half with Bryan Mbeumo having a couple of opportunities. However, the home side were rarely threatened and deserved their win.
Speaking after the game, Jakirovic shed light on the plan to 'punish' United. "We tried something on Friday, so we had some plan there to try to punish them," he said. "How they're standing, especially on the wide free-kicks to make some blocks there, and then we saw Nobel and Semi score."
Carrick insists defeat won't knock confidence
Before Saturday, United had not lost to a newly-promoted side on the first day of the league season - winning ten and drawing three.
Despite the unwanted first, Michael Carrick insisted the Reds would not let the result knock their confidence. "Some was okay, bits to improve on. It was never going to be perfect today but going behind and giving ourselves a lot to do makes it more difficult," Carrick said. "With a promoted team at home, we can't give them much. We had moments but not that spark to put the chances away. We're bitterly disappointed with the result today but it won't knock us."
United will look to put the defeat behind them when they face another newly-promoted side in Ipswich Town next weekend.
