EPL: ‘I’ve been saying for weeks’ – Rio Ferdinand reacts to Man United’s 2-0 defeat to Hull

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand expressed his disappointment following the Red Devils' 2-0 loss to Hull City in their opening Premier League match. Conceding both goals in the first half, Hull City made a strong return to the top flight after a nine-year hiatus. Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the 17th minute, scoring from a rebound after a deflected shot, while club-record signing Nobel Mendy extended Hull's lead in the 38th minute with a header from a free-kick.

In response to the defeat, Ferdinand took to social media to share his thoughts. He acknowledged the challenges of facing newly promoted teams away from home, particularly in the opening match of the season. Ferdinand pointed out the need for Manchester United to improve their defense against crosses, emphasizing that they must work on this aspect of their game.

The article notes that Hull City's defensive efforts, solid structure, and exceptional crossing capabilities denied United any space and posed a significant threat. Despite dominating possession with 72% and taking 21 shots, Manchester United failed to capitalize on their opportunities. The team entered the match with high confidence following a strong finish to the 2025-26 season, under the guidance of manager Carra, who finished third in the league.