EPL: Bruno Fernandes blames Man Utd players after 2-0 Hull loss

Hull City opened their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United, leaving Bruno Fernandes critical of his team-mates’ performance. Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scored for the Tigers in a result that gave the home side all three points against United.

Fernandes, Manchester United’s captain, said the defeat reflected problems that had already affected the team last season. He believed United again surrendered possession too easily, particularly in an away match, and allowed Hull to control important periods of the game.

The Portugal international was especially concerned by United’s start. He pointed to the goalkeeper having the most touches during the opening 20 minutes, which he viewed as evidence that the visitors were not moving the ball forward effectively or applying enough pressure.

Fernandes said United needed to press with greater intensity and show more aggression without the ball. He also identified set-piece defending as a clear weakness, arguing that the team should have been prepared for Hull to make dead-ball situations a major part of their attacking plan.

Hull had used a back four throughout pre-season but selected a five-man defence against Manchester United. Fernandes said the change was designed to give the Tigers greater height and help them compete in the moments that decided the match.

The United captain’s comments placed responsibility on the players rather than treating the defeat as an isolated result. In his assessment, the team had been warned about Hull’s approach but still repeated the same errors, conceded from the situations they expected to face and failed to respond with sufficient pressure.