Youri Tielemans revealed before the season that Manchester United did little running in pre-season, and the lack of fitness appeared to catch up with Michael Carrick's side in their 2-0 defeat to Hull City.
The Reds were beaten by newly-promoted Hull at the MKM Stadium, with both goals coming from crosses into the box. The Tigers won 58.8% of the duels and 57.9% of the aerial battles, while recording six interceptions to United's two.
Tielemans' admission to Ferdinand
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand in pre-season shortly after his move from Aston Villa, Tielemans said he and his team-mates had mainly focused on ball-work rather than fitness across the summer. The midfielder said: "When you come back from the World Cup, you don't do loads of running. Just chill."
Ferdinand was visibly shocked by the revelation, and may have had the same expression when Hull ran out winners.
Midfield struggles against Hull
Tielemans and Andrey Santos, a £50million signing from Chelsea, were partnered in midfield against Hull but were both substituted in the second half for Kobbie Mainoo and Benjamin Sesko. Tielemans failed to win any tackles, while Santos won only one and was dribbled past twice.
Carrick said after the match: "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."
He added: "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."
