Hull City’s Dominant Performance Against Manchester United: Player Ratings

Hull’s first Premier League outing of the season turned into a statement performance – built on a dominant spine, relentless wing-backs and a centre-forward who never stopped bullying his markers. Manchester United, with big names back on the pitch, never truly escaped Hull’s grip.

Here’s how the players rated in a game that said plenty about both squads.

Hull City

Konstantinos Tzolakis – 8

Some debuts are quiet. This wasn’t one of them. Tzolakis produced a superb one-handed stop to claw away Bryan Mbeumo’s angled drive, the kind of save that instantly settles a dressing room. Commanded his box, came decisively for high balls and never looked flustered. Exactly what you want from a new No 1.

Lewie Coyle (off 70) – 7

His early, deep cross towards Oli McBurnie from the right wing-back area told you everything about Hull’s approach: stretch United, attack from wide, ask questions in the air. Coyle kept offering that outlet and worked hard going back the other way.

Semi Ajayi (off 63) – 9

A centre-back who played like he’d been waiting years for this moment – because he has. Alert to the rebound after Senne Lammens’ block and thumped in Hull’s opener for his first Premier League goal since January 2021, back in his West Brom days at Wolves. Rock-solid at the back, dominant in duels, and decisive in the box. Outstanding.

John Egan – 8

Nominally the middle of a back three, but far from static. Stepped into midfield whenever Hull had the ball, helping them outnumber United centrally and recycle possession. Read the game superbly and knitted defence and midfield together.

Ryan Giles (off 84) – 7

A constant menace going forward, mirroring Coyle’s threat on the opposite flank. Delivered width, pushed United’s full-backs deep and still found the legs to sprint back and close off space. That balance between adventure and discipline summed up Hull’s display.

Regan Slater – 7

His set-piece quality told at a crucial moment. Slater’s curling free-kick was perfectly judged, begging Nobel Mendy to attack it for Hull’s second. Beyond that, he grafted in midfield and helped maintain control in tight areas.

Matt Crooks – 8

Owned the middle of the pitch. Crooks outworked and outthought United’s midfield, snapping into challenges and using the ball sensibly. Rarely wasted a touch. Even late on he had enough in the tank to surge forward, forcing Lammens into a hurried clearance. Quietly ruthless.

Nobel Mendy (off 63) – 8

A debut to remember. Attacked Slater’s free-kick for his first goal and backed it up with a mature, defensively sharp display. Cleared his lines when needed, stayed switched on positionally and never looked overawed.

Mohamed Belloumi – 8

The calm in the storm. Belloumi kept things simple, stitching moves together with tidy, short passes and rarely surrendering possession. That security allowed Hull to build wave after wave of pressure and keep United penned in.

Oli McBurnie – 8

Did everything but score. United simply couldn’t live with him. McBurnie bullied Ayden Heaven, dragged centre-backs into areas they didn’t want to go and created space for runners. His physical battle set the tone and his presence caused chaos, even when the final touch wasn’t his.

Elliot Stroud (off 70) – 7

Early on, he flirted with trouble. A late tackle on Harry Maguire sparked anger from the United defender, and he was fortunate to escape harsher punishment. From there, he settled impressively. Composed on the ball, disciplined without it, and part of a unit that never allowed United to find rhythm.

Hull substitutes

Paddy McNair (on 63) – 6

Came on against his former club and slotted in with minimum fuss. Read danger, cleared his lines and helped Hull see out a spell when United were chasing.

Lucas Herrington (on 63) – 6

Joined the game as Hull switched to a more counter-attacking approach. Held his position intelligently, offered an outlet and didn’t over-commit.

Liam Millar (on 70) – 6

Injected fresh legs and pace on the break. Led a promising late counter but couldn’t quite conjure the killer third goal.

Cody Drameh (on 70) – 6

Had one key defensive moment and nailed it, darting in ahead of Luke Shaw to block a dangerous crossing opportunity as United piled on pressure. Did exactly what was required.

Matt Targett (on 84) – 6

A late introduction to lock things down. Kept his shape and helped Hull close out a statement win.

Subs not used: Dillion Phillips, Jens Hjertø-Dahl, Kieran Dowell, Lucas Gourna-Douath.

Manchester United

Senne Lammens – 7

The scoreline flatters no one in a United shirt, but Lammens can hold his head up. Made two sharp saves to keep his side in it and then blocked McBurnie’s effort before Ajayi smashed in the rebound. One of the few visiting players who matched Hull’s intensity.

Noussair Mazraoui (off 80) – 5

Drifted inside repeatedly from the right but never really hurt Hull. When asked to defend wide, he struggled to stop the home side’s runners. A difficult afternoon in both directions.

Harry Maguire – 6

Back at Hull, but there was no triumphant return. Maguire was solid enough individually, won his share of headers and duels, yet couldn’t lift those around him. The argument with Stroud after that early tackle summed up his frustration.

Ayden Heaven – 5

Thrown into a brutal learning experience. Outmuscled by McBurnie in the build-up to Hull’s opener and drawn into a heated confrontation with the forward at half-time. The talent is there, but this was a harsh Premier League lesson.

Luke Shaw – 6

Offered width, hugged the touchline and tried to give United an attacking outlet down the left. Combined neatly at times, but Hull’s transitions left him with too much ground to patrol. Stretched and exposed as the game wore on.

Andrey Santos (off 66) – 5

A competitive debut he’ll want to move on from quickly. Never got to grips with Hull’s midfield, lost too many battles and looked loose in possession. The game passed him by.

Youri Tielemans (off 66) – 5

Showed flashes of his usual neat passing, but they were fleeting. As United chased an equaliser, he resorted to lofted balls into the box that played straight into Hull’s strengths. A strangely muted outing.

Bryan Mbeumo – 5

United’s brightest attacker in the first half, yet still short of his best. One angled drive drew that superb save from Tzolakis, another acrobatic effort was deflected wide. Faded as Hull tightened their grip.

Bruno Fernandes – 5

Worked hard, as he always does, but influence was minimal. Hull’s structure kept him away from dangerous areas and he rarely found shooting positions. For a player of his standards, this was well below par.

Patrick Dorgu (off 46) – 4

Got into promising areas but repeatedly wasted them. End product deserted him, and he struggled to maintain United’s attacking flow. A booking capped a frustrating half, and it was no surprise when his number went up at the break.

Matheus Cunha (off 80) – 5

Started as the central striker but instinctively dropped into No 10 zones to find space. That left United without a focal point and played into Hull’s hands. Some tidy touches, little real threat.

United substitutes

Marcus Rashford (on 46) – 5

First Manchester United appearance since December 2024 and he immediately tried to inject urgency, running at Hull’s back line. The intent was there, the end product wasn’t. Created little of note.

Benjamin Sesko (on 66) – 5

At least gave Hull a different problem with his physical presence, but service into him was poor. Battled away without ever truly troubling Tzolakis.

Kobbie Mainoo (on 66) – 5

Introduced to bring control and tempo, yet Hull’s midfield continued to dictate. Struggled to impose himself on a game already tilting away from United.

Diogo Dalot (on 80) – 5

Late change, limited time to influence the contest. Offered width but Hull were already managing the closing stages expertly.

Shea Lacey (on 80) – 5

A brief cameo in a game that had largely slipped from United’s grasp. Couldn’t alter the narrative.

Subs not used: Karl Darlow, Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro.

Hull’s new arrivals walked off to applause and back-slaps; United’s big names headed for the tunnel with more questions than answers. On this evidence, only one of these sides looks ready to impose itself on the season ahead.