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Carrick's United Stumble as Hull Thrash 2-0
Manchester United’s season began with a jolt, not a statement.
Beaten 2-0 by newly promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium, Michael Carrick’s side looked nothing like title contenders on opening day. Hull, back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017 and missing 10 players through injury, tore into them with far more energy, far more conviction, and, crucially, far more cutting edge.
Semi Ajayi struck first, Nobel Mendy added the second before the interval, and United never recovered.
Carrick refused to turn on his players in public. He knows what happened to Ruben Amorim, whose emotional outbursts last season preceded the sack.
“We came here to win so to not take anything away is hugely disappointing. It is not a nice feeling but it is not going to change our direction as a team or a club,” he said. “You have to carry on as normal. We just don’t all have to shout and scream and create some chaos. Calmness doesn’t mean there is not emotion.”
Calm words. Chaotic performance.
Hull, by contrast, played with freedom. Their afternoon also carried a glimpse of the future in the shape of teenage Socceroos defender Lucas Herrington. The 18-year-old, signed from Colorado Rapids in a deal worth a reported $A33 million, came on in the 64th minute for his Premier League debut and looked like he belonged. Assured, tidy, unfazed. On this evidence, his push to become a regular starter will not take long.
For United, supposedly ready to chase down champions Arsenal after finishing third last season, the gap looked vast. There was little to suggest they can “go toe to toe” with Mikel Arteta’s side on this showing. Arsenal had already opened their title defence with a smooth, controlled 3-0 win over promoted Coventry on Friday. United looked anything but smooth, anything but controlled.
Big-spending Spurs blown away
If United’s defeat stung, Tottenham’s was an outright embarrassment.
More than £200 million ($A380 million) has been poured into a squad that only just escaped relegation on the final day last season. Roberto De Zerbi responded by throwing four new signings straight into his starting XI: Sandro Tonali, Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke. Mateus Fernandes joined the fray from the bench.
On paper, it screamed ambition. On the pitch in west London, Brentford shredded it.
Keith Andrews’ side, assembled on a fraction of Tottenham’s budget, ran riot with a vibrant, aggressive display. Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt both struck in the first half, punishing Spurs’ slack defending and disjointed shape. After the break, Michael Kayode added a third to cap a chastening afternoon.
It could have been worse. Igor Thiago missed a penalty that would have made it 4-0 and turned a bad day into a humiliation.
Money, for now, has not bought cohesion.
Sage’s Palace stumble, Glasner denied late
At Goodison Park, Crystal Palace’s new era under Pierre Sage began with a flat 2-0 defeat to Everton.
Sage inherits a club used to success in the cup competitions. Under Oliver Glasner, Palace lifted the FA Cup in 2025 and the UEFA Conference League last season. Glasner’s decision to leave for Nottingham Forest in the summer opened the door for Sage, who arrived with a strong reputation after guiding Lens to second place in Ligue 1 and a French Cup triumph.
His first Premier League outing, though, offered little joy.
Against the run of play, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall robbed Daniel Munoz in the 42nd minute and thumped a fierce drive into the far corner past Dean Henderson. Any hopes of a Palace response after half-time were quickly smothered when Thierno Barry powered in a bullet header from Iliman Ndiaye’s cross in the 53rd minute.
Glasner did not fare much better at his new home.
Nottingham Forest were edged 1-0 by Leeds United at the City Ground, undone by an 88th-minute free-kick from Anton Stach that squirmed past Matz Sels. The late strike not only settled the league contest but also set the tone for a quick rematch: the sides meet again in the League Cup second round on Tuesday.
Ipswich announce return with late drama
Portman Road has waited a long time for Premier League football. Ipswich Town marked their return with the kind of ending that makes the wait worthwhile.
Gary O’Neil, in his first match in charge after replacing Kieran McKenna, watched his side edge a dramatic 2-1 win over Sunderland.
Emersonn lit up the occasion with a debut goal in the 24th minute, only for Nilson Angulo to level with a superb free-kick 15 minutes later. The game seemed destined to drift into frustration for the hosts.
Then came the 90th minute.
Jack Clarke stepped up and curled home the winner, a strike that ripped the roof off Portman Road and handed O’Neil the perfect start to his tenure.
New eras at the top
The weekend still holds two huge questions.
On Sunday, Manchester City begin life after Pep Guardiola. Enzo Maresca takes charge for the first time against Bournemouth, tasked with maintaining standards that have defined an era.
Liverpool also step into something new. Mohamed Salah has gone, Andoni Iraola has arrived, and his first test comes against Newcastle. A new manager, a new attacking puzzle, the same unforgiving expectations.
Matchday one has already delivered shocks, setbacks and statements. The real issue now: who can turn an opening stumble into a springboard, and who has just revealed the cracks that will define their season?
