Hull Player Ratings: Ajayi Shines and McBurnie Dominates
Hull’s first Premier League outing of the season turned into a statement performance, built on a dominant spine and a debut goalkeeper who refused to be beaten.
Hull City
Konstantinos Tzolakis – 8
Some debut. One outstanding one-handed stop from Bryan Mbeumo’s angled strike set the tone, and he took command of his box whenever United slung crosses in. Radiated calm.
Lewie Coyle (off 70) – 7
That early deep cross to Oli McBurnie from the right wing-back channel was a clear sign of Hull’s plan: get it wide, hit it early. Stuck to the script and gave United problems down his flank.
Semi Ajayi (off 63) – 9
A defender’s dream of an afternoon. In the right place to crash home the rebound for Hull’s opener – his first Premier League goal since January 2021 – then rock-solid at the back. Won duels, read danger, led the line. Outstanding.
John Egan – 8
Nominally the middle of a back three, but kept stepping into midfield when Hull had possession and did it with real authority. Used the ball well, shut down space when United tried to play through the centre.
Ryan Giles (off 84) – 7
A constant outlet on the left, driving high and wide to stretch United. Just as important was the work going the other way, recovering quickly to close off the same spaces he attacked. Reliable, energetic display.
Regan Slater – 7
His beautifully shaped free-kick begged to be attacked, and Nobel Mendy obliged for Hull’s second. Busy in midfield, part of a unit that simply overran United’s central players.
Matt Crooks – 8
Bossed the middle of the pitch. Snapped into challenges, kept Hull ticking, and never allowed his standards to dip. Even late on he had the legs to surge forward and force Senne Lammens into a hurried clearance. Quietly ruthless.
Nobel Mendy (off 63) – 8
Dream debut. Scored with a strong header from Slater’s free-kick and backed it up with disciplined defensive work. Cleared his lines when needed, kept things simple in possession.
Mohamed Belloumi – 8
So assured. Rarely wasted the ball, knitting together short passes and helping Hull build pressure in phases. His composure gave the home side control in key moments.
Oli McBurnie – 8
Did everything but score. Bullied United’s centre-backs, especially Ayden Heaven, dragged them into areas they didn’t want to go and created space for runners. The visitors never really worked out how to handle him.
Elliot Stroud (off 70) – 7
Lucky to escape harsher punishment for a late challenge on Harry Maguire early on, which infuriated the defender. From there he settled, contributed well and kept his side of the pitch secure.
Substitutes
Paddy McNair (on 63) – 6
Slotted in against his former club and helped see the game out with a solid, no-frills defensive shift.
Lucas Herrington (on 63) – 6
Came on as Hull switched to a more counter-attacking approach. Held his position, kept the shape, and did the simple things right.
Liam Millar (on 70) – 6
Injected pace on the break and led a late counter that threatened to finish United off, but couldn’t quite find the killer ball.
Cody Drameh (on 70) – 6
Alert to danger, especially when he nipped in ahead of Luke Shaw to stop a dangerous cross as United finally cranked up the pressure.
Matt Targett (on 84) – 6
Introduced to lock things down on the left and helped Hull see out the closing stages without alarm.
Subs not used: Dillion Phillips, Jens Hjertø-Dahl, Kieran Dowell, Lucas Gourna-Douath.
Manchester United
Senne Lammens – 7
The scoreline could have been worse without him. Produced two strong saves before blocking McBurnie’s effort that fell kindly for Ajayi’s opener. One of the few United players to emerge with credit.
Noussair Mazraoui (off 80) – 5
Often drifted inside from the right but never really hurt Hull. Struggled to stop their surges down his flank and looked uncomfortable as the game opened up.
Harry Maguire – 6
Back at Hull and given a rough afternoon. Did little wrong individually, but couldn’t lift or organise those around him. Symbolic of United’s flat display.
Ayden Heaven – 5
Exposed. Outmuscled by McBurnie in the build-up to Hull’s first goal and drawn into a half-time confrontation with the striker. A harsh lesson at this level.
Luke Shaw – 6
Pushed high and wide to give United width and linked play neatly when they had the ball. The trade-off was obvious: too much grass to cover behind him, and Hull made sure to use it.
Andrey Santos (off 66) – 5
Premier League debut to forget. Overrun by Hull’s midfield, loose in possession and never able to impose himself.
Youri Tielemans (off 66) – 5
Produced the odd slick pass but drifted into launching hopeful high balls into the box, exactly the kind of service Hull’s defenders relished. Underwhelming.
Bryan Mbeumo – 5
United’s sharpest attacker before the break, but that still wasn’t enough. One angled drive drew that superb save from Tzolakis, another acrobatic effort flicked wide. Influence faded.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Plenty of endeavour, little end product. Failed to find pockets to shoot from and never stamped his authority on the contest.
Patrick Dorgu (off 46) – 4
Got into promising positions but wasted them, slowing or breaking United’s attacking rhythm. Booked and withdrawn at half-time. No complaints.
Matheus Cunha (off 80) – 5
Started as the central striker but repeatedly dropped into No 10 areas to find the ball, leaving United with no focal point in the box. Neat touches, minimal threat.
Substitutes
Marcus Rashford (on 46) – 5
First United appearance since December 2024. Immediately ran at Hull’s defence and tried to inject urgency, but found no clear openings and created little.
Benjamin Sesko (on 66) – 5
Offered a more physical presence up front, at least giving United something to aim for, but Hull largely contained him.
Kobbie Mainoo (on 66) – 5
Tried to get on the ball and quicken United’s play, yet the game drifted past him as Hull protected their lead.
Diogo Dalot (on 80) – 5
Introduced late, pushed on from full-back but couldn’t change the pattern.
Shea Lacey (on 80) – 5
Given a brief run-out, saw little of the ball and had no chance to influence proceedings.
Subs not used: Karl Darlow, Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro.
Hull’s players walked off to a roar that felt like a warning: if they can maintain this level of aggression and control, how many more established sides will leave here bruised and beaten?
