Hull City

Hull City have submitted a 21m euros (£17.9m) offer for Union Berlin and Germany Under-21s forward Ilyas Ansah, with talks over a long-term contract at an advanced stage. (Sky Deutschland - in German), external

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

The season has started with a bang. With so many new coaches and major squad upheavals, I expected the unexpected and wasn't disappointed.

Hull City seeing off Manchester United raised the most eyebrows. Remember, United ended last season impressively and their hosts just about squeezed up from the Championship, via the play-offs. These are early days and Michael Carrick's side will improve, so need to panic yet. As for Hull, their performance hinted at something else.

Last season Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth didn't have the slightest hint of an inferiority complex when facing the super-clubs. The Tigers have started in the same style and I suspect others have now seen the light and will follow their lead.

Many are now embracing the idea of chaos, following the control-based dogma that held sway for so long. Some suggest this is "Kloppism" eclipsing the Guardiola doctrine. This is a bit simplistic but there is change in the air and it is being helped by the recent rule changes.

The game is speeding up, encouraging a quicker, more open style that lends itself to this organised chaos. It's early days, but already a pattern appears set for the season; reputations might count for little when up against hungry, youthful, fearless opponents.

Spurs and Aston Villa are seen as "big" clubs but size doesn't matter when confronted by a hunger, desire to work and the ensuing mayhem.

Just look at the way Brentford and Brighton closed both of them down at the weekend; Manchester City were within six minutes of losing to Bournemouth; Liverpool were seconds away from losing to Newcastle, a team supposedly gutted of quality and experience after those brutal summer sales.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Hull City assistant manager Dean Holden has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup game against Stoke City at bet365 Stadium (kick-off 19:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Holden said Nobel Mendy, Semi Ajayi and Lewie Coyle, who were forced off against Manchester United, had cramp so it's "not as bad as first feared".

• He said that trio and Ryan Giles will be assessed on Monday to "see how they shape up" for Tuesday.

• Summer signing Hidemasa Morita "will get some minutes" after recovering from injury and there are expected to be several changes to the starting XI.

• On squad rotation: "The timing couldn't be better because there are players that need minutes. It's an ideal opportunity to try to get them up to speed and a chance to show what they're made of."

• He said "staying in the Premier League will be the number one priority" this season, but they still "want to win every game so will go with that mindset as well".

• On Stoke City: "We expect them to come right at us. Will Mark [Robins] make fewer changes off the back of two defeats? Who knows. That can play into the mind to get a good result to make confidence high. They will be chasing that result."

• Holden says he doesn't know anything about the link with Stoke winger Sorba Thomas, but added: "We are obviously looking to bring in quality to add to what we've already got in the forward positions. Hopefully, we can get some business done in the next week."

• On Saturday's victory over Manchester United: "What a performance. What a result. It gets us off to a flying start. Not just the result, but the performance itself."

Hit play above to hear more from Holden, speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, or listen on BBC Sounds here

Got a question about Hull? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

We asked for your views on Hull's performance against Manchester United on Saturday.

Here are some of your comments:

Susie: A committed, well-organised, confident and fearless Tigers display. The stadium was buzzing!

Stuart: I watched City against Nice and told anybody who would listen, we are a good side, the new boys are excellent. It was a really great performance against United, the tactics were spot on and we thoroughly deserved to win. I backed them for promotion last season and for a top-half finish this year.

David: Performed very well with the new signings showing we are a team who will certainly beat a lot of the Premier League sides if we continue with such positivity.

Chris: The Tigers were rampant today and it was tenacity and skill. Winning second and third balls consistently showed we were by far the better side. Now, as with the last time we hit the Premier League, we will have to deal with the 'underdog' narrative. What is similar to our last time is that we have a style of play that is our own and that no one will want to play against.

Henry: Hull City were very organised, more energetic and more physically fit than Man Utd - no wonder they outclassed them.

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic kept his plan to topple Manchester United on their Premier League return under wraps for weeks, assistant head coach Dean Holden told Match of the Day.

The Tigers produced a sensational 2-0 win over Michael Carrick's side on Saturday, all while deploying a back five.

Jakirovic altered his tactics for the game, having watched a couple of United's pre-season matches, including the 4-2 defeat by AC Milan which was engineered by former boss Ruben Amorim, when he repeatedly switched play to his wing-backs which United's defence failed to cover.

When quizzed on the tactic, Holden told Match of Day: "We certainly didn't copy Ruben Amorim. Sergej [Jakirovic] had it in the back of his mind for three or four weeks that he wanted to play a back five.

"He didn't want to give anything away in pre-season, though, so we played a back four.

"The easiest thing to do in preparation for it was to use some of the AC Milan clips, and Leeds United played a back three the week before as well, so that helped us with players where the systems looked similar."

Hull's win over United, who finished third in the Premier League last season, is perhaps even more remarkable given the Tigers only had 28% of possession.

But seeing limited amounts of the ball is not a cause for concern for Hull, says Holden. "We are comfortable without the ball," he explained.

"It isn't like we are coming up here having dominated the Championship and now we have to change our style. We are comfortable in a mid-block - that is one of our biggest strengths - and playing on the counter-attack is as well."

Catch up on Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer

Hull City defender Ryan Giles said "it doesn't get any better" than beating Manchester United in the opening game of the new Premier League season.

The Tigers stunned United on their home turf with defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy on the scoresheet.

Hit play above to hear Giles speaking to BBC Radio Humerside's Mike White, or listen on BBC Sounds here

Mike White
BBC Radio Humberside sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

Hull City are in talks with Bundesliga side Union Berlin for forward Ilyas Ansah.

At 6ft 6in, the Tigers feel the 21-year old German's versatility would give them the option of deploying him elsewhere and not leave him sitting on the bench when Oli McBurnie is fit and available.

Germany Under-21 international Ansah made his senior debut for SC Paderborn before moving to Union Berlin last summer.

Turkish side Besiktas were reportedly interested earlier this year in the player, who is valued at about £11m.

Ansah scored five goals and registered two assists in 26 games for Union Berlin last season.

Listen to talk about Hull City every Monday to Friday on Humberside Sport at 18:00 and subscribe to our dedicated Hull City page on BBC Sounds for all the latest Tigers interviews, discussion and special features.

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

"We are trying to prove people wrong."

Hull City certainly managed to support their manager Sergej Jakirovic's desire as they shocked Manchester United - and many neutral observers - with a 2-0 win on their return to the Premier League.

The Tigers have been predicted by many to finish bottom, having only squeezed into the Premier League via last season's Championship play-offs.

Mike White, BBC Radio Humberside's sports editor and Hull City commentator, said: "Everyone wrote them off before a ball was kicked, with questions or even predictions that they'd 'do a Derby' [for the lowest points tally in Premier League history].

"It was a somewhat lazy, but in so many ways, understandable prediction - because why wouldn't you tip them to go down as the last team to come up and who've had questions about some of their recruitment?"

The manner of the Tigers' promotion made their status as relegation favourites even more pronounced.

Hull only squeezed into the play-offs, overtaking Wrexham into sixth spot on the final day.

They then became the first team to finish sixth and win the play-offs since Blackpool in 2010.

Having beaten Millwall, they won the final 1-0 against Middlesbrough - whose place had only been confirmed three days before after semi-final opponents Southampton were expelled after being punished for spying.

They also gained promotion despite having the fifth-fewest shots and facing the third most shots in the division.

Hull's achievement was made even more remarkable by the fact they had only avoided relegation on the final day - and on goal difference - in 2025.

Five of the starting line-up against United played for the Tigers in that near-relegation season.

Boss Jakirovic spoke out this week after former Premier League players Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Wayne Bridge mocked Hull's chances of survival on a podcast.

BBC reporter White said: "The comments went beyond understandable observations and made it more personal - resorting to ridicule and mockery and it's rubbed a few people up the wrong way.

"What it did do was act as extra motivation for a Tigers side who were already fired up to prove people wrong, or more importantly prove to themselves that they're more than a match for football's elite."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

A shock 2-0 victory against Manchester United was earned through goals by Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, but Oli McBurnie was absolutely integral to a fine win.

The striker's back-post attempt on the stretch resulted in a stunning stop from goalkeeper Senne Lammens, which then allowed Ajayi to slam in on the rebound.

McBurnie also had a goal-bound header saved during an outstanding first half from the Premier League newcomers, but it was a moment after the break that had the home fans on their feet and Scotland great Ally McCoist waxing lyrical.

With United attempting to mount a fightback, the forward raced back into his own half, wide on the right, to win back possession and keep the ball in play before skipping past Youri Tielemans and Bryan Mbeumo, then finding a pass.

His stats made for good reading, too. Among his team-mates, nobody had more shots, created more chances or won more fouls.

He also competed in more duels than any other Hull City player, winning 11 of them. By the 75th minute, he had applied 50 high-intensity pressures.

This is a player who has vast experience of playing as a lone striker - and doing it well - while also providing attacking output.

Hull City XI:

Konstantinos Tzolakis: Excellent one-handed save to turn away Bryan Mbeumo's angled drive, commanding when he came for high balls. Really good debut. 8.

Lewie Coyle (off 70): Early deep cross for Oli McBurnie from right wing-back area gave a hint of Hull's plan to attack from wide areas. 7.

Semi Ajayi (off 63): In the right place to smash home the rebound to put Hull ahead. His first Premier League goal since January 2021, for West Brom at Wolves. A rock at the back. 9.

John Egan: Middle of a defensive three, but stepped into midfield when Hull had the ball. Played the position really well. 8.

Ryan Giles (off 84): Like Coyle, a major threat going forward, but got back into position defensively to deny the visitors the same space he enjoyed. 7.

Regan Slater: Superb curling free-kick invited Nobel Mendy to attack it for Hull's second. Part of a really good midfield effort. 7.

Matt Crooks: Dominated the central midfield battle, industrious and encouraging while never letting his own standards slip. Quietly impressive. Even had the energy for a charge downfield that forced Senne Lammens to clear. 8.

Nobel Mendy (off 63): Debut goal capped a fine display, defensively sound, made the clearances when he needed to. 8.

Mohamed Belloumi: Very calm performance, tidy short passes and rarely gave the ball away, which allowed Hull to build momentum. 8.

Oli McBurnie: Impossible for the visitors to deal with. He didn't score, but the threat he posed created space for team-mates to exploit. 8.

Elliot Stroud (off 70): Got away with a late tackle on Harry Maguire in the early stages, which angered the Manchester United defender. However, the rest of his performance was hugely positive. 7.

Hull City substitutes:

Paddy McNair (on 63): Solid defensive effort against his old club. 6.

Lucas Herrington (on 63): Hull were playing on the counter-attack and he held his position well. 6.

Liam Millar (on 70): Led a late breakaway but couldn't create a third. 6.

Cody Drameh (on 70): Nipped in on Luke Shaw to prevent him getting a cross over as the visitors' pressure mounted. 6.

Matt Targett (on 84): 6.

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

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Hull's shape was really good. They stuck to the job and worked hard, which is what they're going to have to do to try and stay in this league.

"And obviously, it looked like they identified a weakness in Manchester United in putting balls into the box and utilised that really well. All they can do is try and take as many points at home as they can. It's a great start.

"Hull were fantastic. The manager [Sergej Jakirovic] was spot on when he talked about preparation. I watched Manchester United against AC Milan, and they struggled stopping crosses into the box. Hull looked like they played on that, they got the ball out wide, put good crosses in the box and caused United problems.

"Hull defended well in the second half. They looked powerful, they looked strong. United didn't look at the races and Hull overpowered them in both boxes. That won them the game.

"From a fitness point of view, it can be tricky for the top clubs who have a lot of players away in a World Cup year. There was a lack of intensity. In terms of the press, Man Utd sat in a mid-block, but didn't get pressure on the ball.

"In the next few games, players will pick up that fitness. Ultimately, you want to see a little bit more, especially when they go 2-0 down. You want to see more urgency."

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It means a lot, we were organised, and it was very good for us.

"The players stick to a tactical plan. We suffer because we play against Manchester United but we punished the opponent.

"We are one year together, we had three new guys and, all together, they looked like a team there and in the end we succeeded."

On how pleased he was with the team: "We had a lot of problems because we made four substitutions in our defensive line, which is unusual. You have to play, you have to fight and maybe now we need more players."

On doubters: "This is football. We are professionals. We are trying to prove people wrong. I know there are 37 games to go, but this is a good base for the future."

Hull City defender Semi Ajayi, speaking to TNT Sports about his goal: "It was amazing, it capped off a great start that we had had.

"I was buzzing to get the goal that got us on our way. I didn't really care if any of us scored, there was no VAR check, so I was buzzing that we got the goal."

On proving people wrong: "We're not focused on outside noise, we back ourselves to do well and, hopefully, we will have a really positive season."

Listen to more from Sergej Jakirovic on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Hull City secured their first ever Premier League victory over Manchester United (P11 W1 D2 L8) and their first league win against the Red Devils since November 1974 in the second tier, ending their 11-game winless run against them.

• Semi Ajayi became the first player to score a Premier League goal for Hull City against Manchester United since Matty Fryatt back in May 2014. The Tigers had failed to score with any of their previous 37 attempts on goal against the Red Devils in the competition before Ajayi's opener today.

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Since Hull were relegated from the Premier League in 2017, they have been down to League One and back before beating Middlesbrough 1-0 in the Championship play-off final to seal promotion last season.

Their team was a mix of EFL stalwarts and new signings - with Senegal defender Mendy, Greece goalkeeper Tzolakis and Swedish winger Elliot Stroud making their debuts.

That combination was best highlighted by the second goal in the 38th minute.

Slater, who joined the club initially on loan from Sheffield United in League One - and only cost £50,000 when he signed permanently - swung in a ball for Mendy - a £20m-plus purchase from Rayo Vallecano - to power in a header past Lammens.

That came after Nigeria international Semi Ajayi - released by West Brom last summer after refusing to take a pay cut - had scored his side's first Premier League goal since Sam Clucas in that humbling defeat by Spurs.

Sergej Jakirovic, the first manager in the Premier League from Bosnia-Herzegovina, will not let his Tigers get too carried away after being written off as relegation candidates by many on the eve of the campaign.

But this was a promising start, especially from a team hit by several injuries.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Hull City's performance

What did you make of Man Utd's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday as the opening weekend continues, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Hull City v Man Utd (12:30)

• Everton v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Ipswich v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Nottingham Forest v Leeds

• Brentford v Tottenham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

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Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Hull City kick off a first Premier League campaign in nearly a decade by taking on 13-time winners Manchester United. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into the meeting at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.

The Tigers are the first side to be promoted to the Premier League after finishing sixth in the Championship since Blackpool in 2010, having defeated Millwall and then Middlesbrough in the play-offs.

Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic - the first Bosnian Premier League manager - will take on the challenge of keeping the newly promoted side in the top flight and to do so he may need to develop Hull's style of play.

Despite triumphing in the play-off final in May, Hull's underlying numbers last season were not those of an elite outfit.

They had the fifth-fewest shots of any second-tier team in 2025-26, while only bottom club Sheffield Wednesday had a higher tally of expected goals against. Hull also faced the third-most shots (681), an unwelcome set of statistics that underline the club's status as favourites to return to the Championship.

Hull, though, can take some solace from a solid opening-day record in the Premier League. They have triumphed in three of their five opening matches in the competition, defeating reigning champions Leicester City on their most recent appearance in 2016.

This time round the Tigers take on a United team who have won their opening Premier League fixture on an unrivalled 22 occasions.

Carrick's men, boosted by new signings including midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, are facing promoted sides in their first two matches, with a home game against Ipswich Town to come, providing the Red Devils the perfect opportunity for a strong start following their third-place finish last season.

Carrick has won four of his six managerial meetings with Hull (D1, L1) and is unbeaten in three visits to the MKM Stadium (W2, D1).

United's manager will also be hoping that the form of Bruno Fernandes continues into this campaign as the club return to Champions League football.

The club captain set a record for most assists in a Premier League campaign last season with 21, along with scoring nine goals – making Fernandes the first United player to be involved in 30 or more goals in two Premier League seasons.

Hull City's assistant head coach Dean Holden came on the Monday Night Club this week and spoke really well about how they will approach the Premier League. It sounds like they will be horrible to play against, and will be happy to go direct when they have to.

With them starting at home, getting a result against Manchester United - who Holden is a big fan of - could really make their season.

I think they will be competitive, but my worry for Hull is from looking at how they did last year, when they lost a third of their games in the Championship.

As a story, Sergej Jakirovic getting them from 21st place into the play-offs, and then up, is remarkable. Now they just need to hang on in there in the Premier League, but that will be very difficult.

United have not done much in the transfer market this summer, but Youri Tielemans is a really good signing - a safe signing, if there is such a thing - like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were last year.

As things stand, they are going to be stretched by being in the Champions League and I do feel like Carrick overachieved by getting them there.

Now the expectations are rising following their third-place finish, but they are nowhere near Arsenal at the moment.

I think them having European football, while Tottenham and Chelsea don't, will have a huge bearing on the season, which is why I left United out of my top four.

They should begin with a win, but this is the start of a full-on campaign for them, which makes it far more difficult, and they will need to add to their squad.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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We asked for your views on ex-Premier League players Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Wayne Bridge being scrutinised for comments about the Tigers on a podcast.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: The Joe Coles of punditry have literally no idea about the efforts Hull City are making to create a squad with a chance of survival in the Premier League. Last season came to a remarkable conclusion with that win at Wembley, but now Hull City are approaching a Premier League season with several quality signings and more to come. To be so instantly (and disrespectfully) written off boils down to very lazy punditry. Bottom line: my feeling is that Hull City will survive.

Mark: These ex-players attempting to make Hull City's glorious journey about them tells you all you need to know about them as people. The fact any promoted club is expected to slip straight back down shows how unevenly weighted the Premier League is. It would benefit football in general if the playing field were levelled more.

Matt: We are in the Premier League on merit. We won the play-offs fair and square. Yes, we are favourites to go down, but let's just see how the season goes. Win or lose, we don't care - we will follow Hull City everywhere. C'mon the Tigers, it's going to be one hell of a ride.

Chris: After a well-deserved front-door entry into the Premier League (because there is no back door), City need to maintain the close team spirit and determination that was evident throughout the 2025-26 season. That's the foundation and, as a lifelong supporter, I am looking forward to the journey, however bumpy it is. Shame on those disrespectful characters who think it's OK to laugh at the club and I give full respect to the owner, the manager and, of course, the supporters for their honest and passionate support.