Manchester United have been handed a huge reality check on the opening weekend of the Premier League season after newly promoted Hull City stunned Michael Carrick’s side with a memorable 2-0 victory.
The Tigers, back in England’s top division after a nine-year absence, produced an impressive performance and immediately announced themselves with one of the most surprising results of the opening round of fixtures.
The defeat has already provided plenty of material for Manchester United’s rivals, particularly Chelsea supporters, who have wasted little time turning their attention toward United’s summer recruitment and, more specifically, the club’s decision to invest heavily in midfield.
Before the new campaign began, there had already been considerable debate surrounding United’s decision to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
Some Blues supporters questioned whether allowing the midfielder to leave was the correct decision, while others had previously dismissed his potential and suggested that he was not good enough to become an important Premier League player.
United eventually completed a reported deal worth approximately £50 million, consisting of around £48 million in guaranteed payments and a further £2 million in potential bonuses.
The sizeable investment immediately placed pressure on Santos to justify his price tag, particularly because United were looking to rebuild their midfield and become more competitive.
Unfortunately for the Brazilian midfielder, his Premier League debut against Hull did little to silence the critics.
Santos struggled to impose himself on the match and was unable to provide the control, energy and authority Carrick needed in the centre of the pitch.
He was eventually substituted after 67 minutes, with Youri Tielemans also withdrawn as the United manager attempted to find a way back into the contest.
Despite enjoying significant possession, Manchester United struggled to turn their control of the ball into genuine attacking opportunities.
Their passing lacked penetration, while the final-third movement and creativity were not enough to consistently trouble Hull’s organised defence.
The newly promoted side, meanwhile, showed far greater efficiency when their opportunities arrived. United’s defensive problems were particularly obvious from set pieces, with Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy finding the net to give Hull a historic 2-0 victory.
That result has inevitably given Chelsea supporters plenty of ammunition in the ongoing debate surrounding Santos.
Rival fans have been quick to remind United supporters of the criticism that followed the midfielder from his previous club, especially after his difficult first appearance in a Manchester United shirt.
However, it would be premature to make a definitive judgement on Santos based on one difficult match. The midfielder is still only 22 years old, and United clearly believe he possesses the potential to become an important part of their long-term project. The fee involved demonstrates just how highly the club rates him.
Nevertheless, the Hull defeat has raised legitimate questions about whether United’s midfield has actually been strengthened enough during the summer.
Santos and Tielemans were expected to provide greater control and quality, yet Hull exposed weaknesses that Carrick will need to address quickly.
For Chelsea supporters, this is certainly a moment to enjoy the banter. But the debate over Santos’ value will ultimately be decided by his performances over an entire season rather than one disappointing afternoon.
Hull also deserve enormous credit. Their victory represented their first-ever Premier League win against Manchester United and their first league triumph over the Red Devils in 52 years.
United now have a long campaign ahead to prove their critics wrong. However, after such a poor opening-day performance, Carrick already has significant questions to answer — particularly in midfield.
