Hull City got their return to the Premier League off to a dream start as they beat Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium.
Both goals came in the first half from set pieces, but that does not do justice to the fact that the hosts looked far more confident out of possession and were able to limit United effectively -- with goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis hardly worked in the second half.
Michael Carrick said post-match that his side won't be "knocked" by the performance, which simply was not good enough across the park.
Here, ESPN rates the United players after what for them was a toothless defeat.
Manager rating (out of 10)
Michael Carrick, 4 -- As good as Hull City were, it is difficult to ignore the manager given his side's failure to score against a newly-promoted side. His side struggled in midfield and were beaten consistently by the host's wingbacks -- before two poor pieces of set-piece defending cost them.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, 5 = average)
GK Senne Lammens, 7 -- Let down by his defenders for the opener after Ajayi was able to bundle home after a strong save, amid three in the first half, before cancelling out a good ball in behind to Crooks in the second half. United's best player today, and that says something.
RB Noussair Mazraoui, 3 -- Not as involved in the game as his counterpart Shaw. Beaten for pace and strength consistently by Giles in the first 45, when the damage was done.
CB Harry Maguire, 4 -- Two set pieces became two goals for Hull, and Maguire will feel that the chaos of the opener was avoidable. To his credit, he played a few crosses and took a shot of his own in the second half which worked the keeper, attempting to get things done himself with the attack flailing.
CB Ayden Heaven, 4 -- Struggled against McBurnie, whose physicality proved a huge problem for the youngster. Felt he may have been fouled for Hull's opener, but there was no suggestion by VAR other than that he was beaten for strength.
LB Luke Shaw, 4 -- Got in all the right positions on the overlap and played a greater role going forward than Dorgu in the first half. Tried a number of crosses but they lacked quality, finding themselves cleared under little pressure or caught by Tzolakis.
CM Youri Tielemans, 5 -- Outmuscled on a couple of occasions in the first half and tried a couple of good balls in behind, including one to Rashford which was a touch too late. Taken off alongside his midfield colleague Santos.
CM Andrey Santos, 3 -- A disappointing hour for the new signing. Crooks had his number throughout and he struggled aerially, as the hosts were far superior winning duels and second balls.
RW Bryan Mbeumo, 5 -- Looked bright in the opening spell but was unsure in the second half. A strike over the bar 15 minutes from time carried an air of frustration, before he was denied by Tzolakis from a Cunha ball.
AM Bruno Fernandes, 4 -- Didn't quite come off for him the way he would have liked. Struggled to create chances and influence the game amid a disciplined, tight midfield. The whole United attacking unit was poor, but the lack of clear-cut chances will never reflect well on the main attacking midfielder.
LW Patrick Dorgu, 3 -- Struggled out on the left-wing. Found himself booked and scuffed a decent chance from a Maguire cross in the first half. Replaced by Rashford the second.
ST Matheus Cunha, 4 -- Was unsure of his role throughout. His best moment came with a flash shot in the first half before he dropped deeper after Sesko's introduction, and then played a good ball into Mbeumo late on.
Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes: no rating)
LW Marcus Rashford (Dorgu 46'), 5 -- Making his Premier League return to United, he was a noticeable improvement in terms of movement off the left, but struggled to get into space in the final third.
CM Kobbie Mainoo (Tielemans 67'), 5 -- Physically composed in the middle of the park.
ST Benjamin Šeško, (Santos 67'), 5 -- Did not make the instant impact he would have wanted. Offered a presence in the box, but was marshalled well by the Hull back five.
AM Shea Lacey (Cunha 80'), N/R -- Not really involved after his late substitution.
RB Diogo Dalot (Mazraoui 80'), N/R -- Composed enough at right-back for the final spell.
