Hull City vs Manchester United: Player Ratings and Analysis
Hull’s statement win over Manchester United was built on control, clarity – and a handful of outstanding individual displays that exposed just how disjointed the visitors looked.
Here are the player ratings from a night when Hull’s organisation and intensity outclassed United’s reputation.
Hull City
Konstantinos Tzolakis – 8
Debut nerves? None on show. Produced a superb one-handed stop to claw away Bryan Mbeumo’s angled strike and claimed high balls with real authority. Every intervention settled the defence in front of him. A very assured first Premier League outing.
Lewie Coyle (off 70) – 7
Set the tone early with a deep cross towards Oli McBurnie from that right wing-back pocket, a clear signal Hull would stretch United from wide areas. Worked tirelessly up and down his flank and rarely lost his discipline.
Semi Ajayi (off 63) – 9
The enforcer and the finisher. Reacted quickest to smash home the rebound for Hull’s opener – his first Premier League goal since January 2021 with West Brom at Wolves. Dominant aerially, strong in the duels, and a calming presence when United tried to go long. A rock at the back.
John Egan – 8
Nominally the central figure in a back three, but constantly stepped into midfield when Hull had possession. Read the game smartly, shut down passing lanes and used the ball well. The role demanded intelligence and he delivered it.
Ryan Giles (off 84) – 7
An attacking menace on the left, mirroring Coyle’s influence on the opposite side. Delivered threat going forward, yet repeatedly recovered into good defensive positions to deny United the same space he enjoyed. Balanced performance.
Regan Slater – 7
His curling free-kick begged to be attacked and Nobel Mendy obliged for Hull’s second. Neat, busy and part of a midfield that simply overran United. Did the dirty work and still found quality on the ball.
Matt Crooks – 8
Owned the centre of the pitch. Outworked and out-thought United’s midfield, knitting play together and refusing to let the tempo drop. Even late on, still had the legs to surge forward and force Senne Lammens into a hurried clearance. Quietly outstanding.
Nobel Mendy (off 63) – 8
Dream debut. Met Slater’s free-kick for his first goal and backed it up with a disciplined display without the ball. Cleared his lines when required, stayed switched on positionally and never looked overawed.
Mohamed Belloumi – 8
Calm, crisp, composed. Kept the ball moving with tidy short passing and barely surrendered possession. That security allowed Hull to build sustained pressure and keep United chasing shadows.
Oli McBurnie – 8
Did everything but score. Bullied defenders, pinned them back and created chaos that others exploited. United simply could not cope with his physicality and movement; his presence alone opened lanes for team-mates.
Elliot Stroud (off 70) – 7
Lucky to escape harsher punishment for a late early challenge on Harry Maguire, which infuriated the United captain. From that point on, though, he settled and contributed well, defending with aggression and composure.
Substitutes
Paddy McNair (on 63) – 6
Slotted in against his former club and helped see the game out with a solid, uncomplicated defensive shift.
Lucas Herrington (on 63) – 6
Came on as Hull moved into counter-attacking mode. Held his position, offered an outlet and helped relieve pressure when United pushed on.
Liam Millar (on 70) – 6
Injected fresh legs on the break and led a late counter that promised a third goal but lacked the final pass.
Cody Drameh (on 70) – 6
Alert and sharp. Read Luke Shaw’s intentions perfectly to nip in and stop a dangerous cross as United finally built some momentum.
Matt Targett (on 84) – 6
Introduced to lock things down on the left. Did exactly that, with no fuss and no alarms.
Subs not used: Dillion Phillips, Jens Hjertø-Dahl, Kieran Dowell, Lucas Gourna-Douath.
Manchester United
Senne Lammens – 7
The scoreline flatters no one at United, but Lammens can hold his head high. Made two strong saves before blocking McBurnie’s effort, only for Ajayi to bury the rebound. One of the few visiting players to emerge with credit.
Noussair Mazraoui (off 80) – 5
Frequently drifted inside from his flank but never really hurt Hull. Struggled to stop their wing-backs driving forward and rarely imposed himself in either direction.
Harry Maguire – 6
Back at Hull and given a rough evening. Dealt with most of what came directly his way, yet couldn’t lift or organise those around him. Booked early frustrations, late resignation.
Ayden Heaven – 5
Exposed. Outmuscled by McBurnie in the build-up to the opener and then embroiled in a heated exchange with the striker at half-time. His inexperience showed under sustained pressure.
Luke Shaw – 6
Offered width and attacking intent by hugging the touchline, linking neatly in advanced areas. The problem? Too much ground to cover behind him, and Hull repeatedly found joy in those spaces.
Andrey Santos (off 66) – 5
Competitive debut that never really started. Overrun by Hull’s midfield trio and loose in possession. The game passed him by.
Youri Tielemans (off 66) – 5
Produced a few slick passes but drifted into the wrong habits, lofting hopeful balls into a crowded Hull box where United lacked the profile to compete. Below his usual standard.
Bryan Mbeumo – 5
United’s liveliest attacker before the break. Forced Tzolakis into that superb one-handed save and saw an acrobatic attempt deflected wide. Threatened in flashes but faded as Hull tightened their grip.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Plenty of gesturing, little end product. Struggled to find pockets of space, rarely arrived in shooting positions and never took control of the contest.
Patrick Dorgu (off 46) – 4
Got into promising areas but his final ball deserted him. Booked, loose in possession and unable to maintain any rhythm in United’s attacking play. Withdrawn at half-time and few could argue.
Matheus Cunha (off 80) – 5
Started as the focal point but kept drifting into the No 10 zone, leaving United without a real target in the box. Some tidy touches, not enough penetration.
Substitutes
Marcus Rashford (on 46) – 5
First Manchester United appearance since December 2024. Immediately looked to drive at Hull’s defence, but the spark never turned into chances. Rusty and contained.
Benjamin Sesko (on 66) – 5
Offered a more physical presence up front and at least gave United a central point to aim for, yet Hull’s back line handled him without panic.
Kobbie Mainoo (on 66) – 5
Introduced to inject control and tempo. Found neither. Couldn’t shift the flow of a midfield battle Hull had already won.
Diogo Dalot (on 80) – 5
Late arrival with little opportunity to influence a game already slipping away.
Shea Lacey (on 80) – 5
Another late substitute thrown on as United chased a response. Never saw enough of the ball to make a dent.
Subs not used: Karl Darlow, Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro.
Hull looked like a team with a plan and the legs to execute it. United looked like a team still searching for both. How long can that imbalance last before the pressure really starts to bite?
