Manchester United were beaten 2-0 by Hull City on the opening day of the Premier League season, and Youri Tielemans' pre-season comments to Rio Ferdinand came back to haunt the Red Devils. Hull, newly promoted to the top flight, overpowered United at the MKM Stadium, with both goals coming from crosses into the penalty area.
Hull's dominance in the statistics
The Tigers won 58.8 per cent of the duels and controlled aerially by winning 57.9 per cent of the aerial duels. They also managed six interceptions compared to United's two, demonstrating Sergej Jakirovic's side were quicker and more alert than United.
Seeing these statistics, it's easy to recall Tielemans' frank confession when he spoke with Ferdinand during pre-season. Shortly after his transfer from Aston Villa was confirmed, Ferdinand interviewed the Belgian about his initial impressions under Michael Carrick. The former United central defender was left astonished when Tielemans revealed he and his team-mates had predominantly concentrated on ball-work rather than conditioning throughout the summer.
Tielemans' pre-season admission
Tielemans said: "Just sharp, that’s what it's been like mostly." Asked if he'd done lots of running by Ferdinand, the midfielder then said: "No. When you come back from the World Cup, you don't do loads of running. Just chill."
Ferdinand was wide-eyed in disbelief when Tielemans made that admission and then replied: "What?" The club legend may have worn the same expression when the Tigers emerged the deserved 2-0 victors on Humberside.
Midfield struggles and Carrick's reaction
Tielemans and Andrey Santos, a £50million acquisition from Chelsea, were paired together in central midfield against Hull. Both were substituted in the second half for Kobbie Mainoo and Benjamin Sesko as United pushed for an equaliser.
Tielemans failed to win a single tackle in the centre of the pitch, while Santos managed just one. He was also dribbled past by opponents twice in the middle of the park, which will likely raise concerns for Carrick. The duo were simply outclassed in every department against the Tigers, who appeared to cut through them with ease on the break.
Carrick did his utmost to remain composed during his post-match interview, yet the absence of drive and intensity in the engine room must surely trouble him. Following the defeat, he said: "Some of it was OK, there's bits to improve on. It was never going to be perfect, but going behind and giving ourselves a lot to do makes it more difficult."
"It was a typical one of those games, with a newly-promoted team at home. You can't give them much, they've got a lot to hold on to. After that, we had moments and opportunities but we didn't have the spark to put the chances away or create any more. We're bitterly disappointed with the result, but we won't let it knock us."
