How Hull kept plan to stun Man Utd secret

Sergej Jakirovic, manager of Hull City, kept his game plan to defeat Manchester United under wraps for several weeks, according to assistant head coach Dean Holden. The Tigers shocked the Premier League champions with a 2-0 victory in their opening game on Saturday. The team fielded a back five, a tactic Jakirovic refined after observing Manchester United's pre-season matches, including a 4-2 loss to AC Milan under former boss Ruben Amorim.

Holden clarified that Hull did not directly copy Amorim's strategy. The win, with goals from defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, was particularly impressive as Hull only had 28% possession during the game. Despite the low possession, Hull remains comfortable playing in their mid-block, emphasizing their strengths in counter-attacks and maintaining a solid defensive structure.

Holders Jackirovic and Holden expressed confidence in their team, noting their resilience and adaptability after a recent challenging period that saw Hull finish sixth in the Premier League and win the play-offs, a first in 16 years. The manager emphasized the team's grassroots mentality and humility, aiming for continued success in the top flight.