Luke Shaw has admitted Manchester United's preparation was not good enough before their shock 2-0 defeat at newly-promoted Hull City in their Premier League opener on August 22, 2026. The Red Devils, who began the season with high expectations, were undone by two set-piece goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, piling early pressure on manager Michael Carrick.
Speaking to Stan Sports after the match, the England international did not hold back in his assessment. 'Disappointing, I think we knew Hull's strengths,' Shaw said. 'Set-plays and wide positions and crosses into the box. At times we did defend well, but the goals, set-plays, not good enough. We knew they were going to be good from set-plays and ultimately it's cost us the three points today.'
Shaw criticises preparation and cutting edge
Shaw, who has been a key figure for Manchester United in recent seasons, suggested that the team's overall preparation fell short of the required standard. 'Really disappointing. It's not us and we knew it was coming. I think as a whole, as a group, collectively, we could prepare better. Especially knowing how good they are at set-plays and what their dangers are.'
The left-back also pointed to a lack of attacking threat as a contributing factor in the defeat. 'I think also going forward we were lacking that cutting edge today to score the goals and try to fight our way back into the game,' he added.
Despite the early-season nature of the loss, Shaw made it clear that results like this are unacceptable for a club of Manchester United's stature. 'No excuses at all in this game, but it's the start of the season and maybe players are finding form a little bit,' he said. 'But no way is that an excuse, Manchester United should be coming to Hull and no disrespect to them, but we should be winning the game.'
Set-piece woes prove decisive at Hull
Both of Hull's goals came from set-plays, with Ajayi scoring after an Oli McBurnie effort was saved by Senne Lammens from a corner. The second goal saw Mendy head in a dangerous free-kick cross from Regan Slater, with Shaw himself coming in for criticism from Wayne Rooney for his 'schoolboy' defending on the play.
Captain Bruno Fernandes echoed Shaw's frustrations in his own interview with TNT Sports. 'It was the same mistakes we made last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to the opponent,' Fernandes said. 'In the first 20 minutes, their goalkeeper was the one with the most touches.'
The Portuguese midfielder called for a more aggressive approach and highlighted the need for improvement in defending set-pieces. 'We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals. Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment. We knew before the game set-pieces would be a big part of their game.'
Carrick tries to stay positive after early setback
Manager Michael Carrick, who took over at Old Trafford with a reputation for a calm demeanour, attempted to put a more positive spin on the result. 'We did some good things today and it will get lost. We have to find answers but because we lose one game, it doesn't mean everything needs dissecting,' he said.
The defeat leaves Manchester United with an immediate need to respond, and they will have a chance to do so against another newly-promoted side, Ipswich Town, on Sunday August 30. The match at Portman Road offers the Red Devils an opportunity to bounce back from a result that has already raised questions about their readiness for the challenges of the Premier League season.
