Hull City vs Manchester United: Match preview, team news and prediction
By Joel Masibo, August 22, 2026Manchester United will open their 2026-27 Premier League season on Saturday afternoon, August 22, 2026, when they travel to newly promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
The Red Devils finished third in the Premier League last season, while Hull earned promotion after successfully navigating the 2025-26 Championship playoffs.
Hull City hoping for a strong return
Hull are back in England’s top division for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign. The Tigers have endured spells outside the Premier League since their previous appearance at this level, but promotion under Sergej Jakirovic has given the club a fresh opportunity to establish itself among the country’s elite.
The Championship playoff triumph has been followed by an extensive squad rebuild. Hull completed 11 additions during the summer, with Nobel Mendy’s arrival from Rayo Vallecano among the most notable moves.
Several existing players have also departed, leaving Jakirovic with a significantly altered squad as Hull prepare for the demands of Premier League football.
Their pre-season produced mixed results. The Tigers collected two wins, two draws and one defeat from five matches, with their final warm-up ending in a 0-0 stalemate against Nice.
History does not particularly favour Hull ahead of this encounter. They have beaten Manchester United just three times in their last 18 meetings across all competitions. Their most recent Premier League meeting, however, ended without a goal in February 2017.
Manchester United won 1-0 on their previous trip to Hull in August 2016 and will be hoping for another positive result as they begin the new campaign.
United aiming to start with a victory
Manchester United have strengthened their squad during the summer, bringing in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow. Carlos Baleba is also expected to join, while further additions at left-back and in attack remain possible before the transfer window shuts.
Michael Carrick’s team ended pre-season with a 4-2 loss against AC Milan, but their overall preparations included encouraging results against Rosenborg, Atletico Madrid and Leeds United, as well as a draw with Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain.
United’s third-place finish last season secured Champions League football for the new campaign. Alongside their European commitments, the club will also be targeting improved performances in the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
The opening fixtures could provide an opportunity for Carrick’s men to make an early statement. After the Hull trip, United will host Ipswich Town before travelling to Everton at the beginning of September.
Hull City pre-season results
Konyaspor – Win
Caykur Rizespor – Win
Kasimpasa – Draw
Eintracht Frankfurt – Defeat
Nice – Draw
Manchester United pre-season results
Wrexham – Defeat
Rosenborg – Win
Atletico Madrid – Win
Paris Saint-Germain – Draw
Leeds United – Draw
AC Milan – Defeat
Team news
Hull face a lengthy injury list heading into their first Premier League fixture.
Eliot Matazo, Darko Gyabi, Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano, Charlie Hughes, Joe Gelhardt and Hidemasa Morita are all expected to miss the contest because of injuries.
Cody Drameh and Matty Jacob, meanwhile, will undergo late assessments to determine whether they are fit enough to feature.
Manchester United also have several concerns. Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte are unavailable, while Mason Mount remains a doubt ahead of kick-off.
Benjamin Sesko has returned to training and could be included in the matchday squad. However, a starting role appears unlikely given that the forward has been recovering from a shin problem and has not played for United since the conclusion of last season.
Goalkeeper Karl Darlow could also make his first appearance in a United squad.
Tielemans and Santos are expected to make their competitive debuts, while Bryan Mbeumo could be deployed centrally in attack.
Lisandro Martinez’s limited involvement during pre-season could result in Ayden Heaven partnering Harry Maguire at the heart of the defence.
Expected lineups
Hull City: Tzolakis; Coyle, Ajayi, Mendy, Giles; Slater, Crooks; Belloumi, Hjerto-Dahl, Stroud; McBurnie.
Manchester United: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Tielemans, Santos; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.
Prediction: Hull City 1-2 Manchester United
Hull are capable of making life uncomfortable for Manchester United, particularly on their return to the Premier League in front of their home supporters.
However, United possess greater experience and quality across the squad, and their ambitions for the new season should give them enough to edge a competitive opening-day contest.
Carrick’s side may not have everything their own way, but Manchester United are expected to leave the MKM Stadium with all three points and begin the campaign on a winning note.