Hull City could hardly have announced their Premier League return in more impressive fashion.
The Tigers stunned Man United with a deserved 2-0 victory at the MKM Stadium today, nine years after their previous top flight campaign ended in relegation.
Sergej Jakirovic’s side were expected to begin the season under heavy pressure, but they looked organised, aggressive and completely comfortable with their game plan.
Semi Ajayi opened the scoring after 17 minutes when United failed to deal with a corner. Nobel Mendy then marked his competitive Hull debut by heading in Regan Slater’s delivery shortly before halftime.
Both goals came from set pieces, but this was far more than a lucky smash and grab victory.
Hull disrupted United’s attempts to build from the back, competed for every loose ball and protected the centre of the pitch with real discipline. Matt Crooks and Slater also gave Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos very little time to settle on their United debuts.
When Hull were pushed back after the interval, they defended their penalty area superbly. Konstantinos Tzolakis made five saves, while Ajayi and Mendy handled everything United sent towards them before both were withdrawn during the second half.
The result was Hull’s first league victory over United since 1974, and it was also the first time the Old Trafford club had ever lost their opening league fixture to a newly promoted side.
It was a dream Premier League return for the Tigers, and while Jakirovic will know one outstanding performance does not guarantee survival, it proved Hull can frustrate teams with bigger budgets.
The manager also believes such a result could help attract further signings before the window closes, and one of those additions could now arrive from Chelsea.
Hull City exploring loan deal for Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo
TalkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs claims Hull are now exploring a loan deal for Dario Essugo.
Chelsea are ready to allow the Portuguese midfielder to leave temporarily, although Strasbourg are also being considered as a destination.
Essugo would provide extra power and defensive cover in the middle of the pitch.
He is comfortable chasing opponents, competing for second balls and protecting the space in front of his centre backs.
Those qualities appear well suited to Jakirovic’s approach, and Hull will spend long periods without possession against the Premier League’s strongest sides, making midfield energy essential.
The 21-year-old became Sporting’s youngest senior player when he made his debut at 16. Chelsea later agreed to pay Sporting nearly £20 million for him after an encouraging loan season with Las Palmas, where he gained experience in La Liga.
His first campaign at Stamford Bridge was ruined by injury, with Essugo missing 37 matches across two separate absences last season, including a lengthy spell following surgery.
That makes regular football particularly important.
Hull could offer him Premier League minutes without asking Chelsea to give up control of his future, while Strasbourg would provide a familiar route within the BlueCo network, but Essugo would face stronger weekly competition in England.
After beating United, Hull have already shown they belong at this level, and adding Essugo could make their midfield even harder to break down.
