Hull City vs Manchester United preview

England flag 2026/2027 Premier League, England
MKM Stadium
Premier League
Hull CityHUL
2 0
Manchester UnitedMUN
Full Time
Round 1 Regular Season
Semi Ajayi - 17'
Nobel Mendy - 38'
Goal
|

CONTEXT

Hull City defeated Manchester United 2-0 in a match where the home side led 2-0 at halftime and preserved the advantage until the final whistle. Manchester United held 72 percent possession against Hull City's 28 percent yet failed to score despite creating more opportunities. Hull City posted 0.99 expected goals while Manchester United recorded 2.18 expected goals resulting in a differential of minus 1.19. The stronger team according to pre-match assessment Manchester United could not overcome the early deficit. No red cards were shown to players from either side allowing both teams to maintain full complements throughout the ninety minutes. The result marked a clear instance where the winner outperformed expectations based on underlying metrics and possession statistics. This outcome underscored the impact of early goals and defensive organization in determining the final scoreline.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Hull City produced a significant deviation from expected performance levels.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with overall match dynamics.
  • xG alignment: The match outcome was not consistent with expected goals figures.
  • Market alignment: The result aligned with pre-match expectations.
  • xG expectations: Manchester United created higher expected goals but scored none.
  • Event impact: Two first-half goals secured the 2-0 victory for Hull City.
  • Red card distortion: No red cards occurred to influence the match result.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
D. England
D. England
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.32
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
S. Ledger
S. Ledger
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
A. Howson
A. Howson
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
C. Kavanagh
C. Kavanagh
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Hull City S. Jakirović
S. Jakirović
VS
Manchester United M. Carrick
M. Carrick
0
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
2.17
0 i
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
2.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Brighton & Hove Albion Rank: 90 W
Nottingham Forest Rank: 87 W
Sunderland Rank: 83 D
Liverpool Rank: 91 W
Brentford Rank: 90 W
Chelsea Rank: 88 W
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 0
0

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
38.07
90.78
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Hull City
Manchester United
Power Score
38.07
90.78
League Position
4
17
Global Rank
93
11

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Hull City — Opponent-weighted form score
Manchester United — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Hull City Manchester United

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Hull City

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Manchester United

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Hull City ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Manchester United
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
33.04
35.90
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
35.90
33.04
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Hull City -0.22 Efficiency Index
vs
Manchester United +0.22 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Hull City
Manchester United
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Hull City
vs
Manchester United
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Hull City Manchester United
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
87%
18%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.86 vs -0.39
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Hull City Manchester United
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
18%
87%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.39 vs -0.86
Hull City
Manchester United
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Hull City
vs
Manchester United
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Hull City Manchester United
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Hull City 0.32
Manchester United 0.22
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Hull City Manchester United
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Hull City 0.00
Manchester United 0.08
Hull City
Manchester United
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • MUN had peak pressure around 46'.
  • MUN started the game with stronger pressure.
HUL Pressure MUN Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: MUN reached the top pressure at 46' (79.45).

STARTING XI

Match Formation 5-4-1
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026/2027 Premier League, England · Round 1 · Regular Season
Stadium
MKM Stadium
Capacity
25586
Attendance
24470
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Darren England
Scott Ledger
Akil Howson
Chris Kavanagh

Statistics

Possession
HUL
34%
MUN
66%

Top Statistics

2 Goals 0
3 Big Chances Created 2
3 Shots 8
25 Dangerous attacks 97
28 Possession 72
1 Corners 6
14 Free kicks 10
2 Yellow Cards 1

Match Overview

66 Ball Safe 67
12 Goal Kicks 5
5 Goal Attempts 4
5 Substitutions 5
10 Throwins 30
1 Hit Woodwork 0
22 Successful Headers 16
1 Assists 0
2 Injuries 0
5 Dribble Attempts 17
3 Successful Dribbles 4
60 Successful Dribbles Percentage 24

Attacking

65 Attacks 129
1 Big Chances Missed 2

Possession

68 Long Passes 48
252 Passes 654
177 Successful Passes 574
70 Successful Passes Percentage 88
5 Key Passes 19
19 Successful Long Passes 24
28 Successful Long Passes Percentage 50

Defensive

5 Saves 2
17 Tackles 6
6 Interceptions 2
50 Duels Won 35

Build-up

15 Total Crosses 39
5 Accurate Crosses 9

Discipline

0 Offsides 3
10 Fouls 9

Lineup

Referee : Darren England

Starting XI ▼

19
Konstantinos Tzolakis
Konstantinos Tzolakis Goalkeeper
7.86
2
Lewie Coyle
Lewie Coyle (C) Defender
6.83
18
Cody Drameh
Cody Drameh
Defender70'
6.61
3
Ryan Giles
Ryan Giles Defender
6.96
23
Matt Targett
Matt Targett
Defender85'
6.48
6
Semi Ajayi
Semi Ajayi Defender
7.68
17
Patrick James Coleman McNair
Patrick James Coleman McNair
Defender64'
6.45
15
John Egan
John Egan Defender
7.56
32
Nobel Mendy
Nobel Mendy Defender
7.63
22
Lucas Herrington
Lucas Herrington
Defender64'
6.71
10
Mohamed Belloumi
Mohamed Belloumi Midfielder
6.93
21
Elliot Stroud
Elliot Stroud Midfielder
6.91
7
Liam Millar
Liam Millar
Attacker71'
6.48
25
Matt Crooks
Matt Crooks Midfielder
6.9
27
Regan Slater
Regan Slater Midfielder
7.05
9
Oliver McBurnie
Oliver McBurnie Attacker
7.09
Referee : Darren England

Starting XI ▼

1
Senne Lammens
Senne Lammens Goalkeeper
6.36
3
Noussair Mazraoui
Noussair Mazraoui Defender
7.08
2
Diogo Dalot
Diogo Dalot
Defender80'
6.76
5
Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire Defender
7.44
23
Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw Defender
6.79
26
Ayden Heaven
Ayden Heaven Defender
6.36
8
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes (C) Midfielder
7.16
13
Patrick Dorgu
Patrick Dorgu Midfielder
6.03
9
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford
Attacker46'
7.06
17
Andrey Santos
Andrey Santos Midfielder
6.83
30
Benjamin Sesko
Benjamin Sesko
Attacker67'
6.3
18
Youri Tielemans
Youri Tielemans Midfielder
6.52
37
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo
Midfielder67'
6.66
19
Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo Midfielder
6.58
10
Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha Attacker
6.92
31
S. Lacey
S. Lacey
Attacker80'
6.57

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Liam Millar
Simulation / 3rd Yellowcard
90+6'
Event
Matt Targett → Ryan Giles
10th Substitution
85'
80'
Event
Diogo Dalot → Noussair Mazraoui
8th Substitution
80'
Event
S. Lacey → Matheus Cunha
9th Substitution
Event
Liam Millar → Elliot Stroud
7th Substitution
71'
Event
Cody Drameh → Lewie Coyle
6th Substitution
70'
67'
Event
Kobbie Mainoo → Youri Tielemans
4th Substitution
67'
Event
Benjamin Sesko → Andrey Santos
5th Substitution
Event
Lucas Herrington → Nobel Mendy
2nd Substitution
64'
Event
Patrick James Coleman McNair → Semi Ajayi
3rd Substitution
64'
46'
Event
Marcus Rashford → Patrick Dorgu
1st Substitution
1ST-HALF
Event
Matt Crooks
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
42'
Event
Nobel Mendy
Header / 2nd Goal
38'
34'
Event
Patrick Dorgu
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
Event
Semi Ajayi
Right foot shot / 1st Goal
17'

Match Commentary

90
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Liam Millar receives a yellow card.
90
Attempt Attempt
Harry Maguire took a right-footed shot but missed.
90
Attempt Attempt
Benjamin Sesko takes a shot with his head, but it's blocked.
89
Attempt Attempt
Harry Maguire takes a right-footed shot but misses.
89
Update Update
Benjamin Sesko's header is blocked.
85
Update Update
Matt Targett comes on for Ryan John Giles.
84
Attempt Attempt
Harry Maguire takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
84
Attempt Attempt
Kobbie Mainoo takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
82
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
80
Update Update
Shea Lacey comes on for Matheus Cunha.
80
Update Update
Diogo Dalot comes on, replacing Noussair Mazraoui.
79
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Cunha attempts a header but misses the shot.
78
Update Update
Diogo Dalot comes on for Noussair Mazraoui.
78
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Cunha attempts a header but misses the shot.
77
Attempt Attempt
Bryan Mbeumo takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
76
Attempt Attempt
Bryan Mbeumo takes a left-footed shot but misses.
75
Attempt Attempt
Ryan John Giles takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
73
Attempt Attempt
Cody Drameh takes a right-footed shot but misses.
71
Update Update
Liam Millar comes on for Elliot Stroud.
70
Update Update
Cody Drameh replaces Lewie Coyle.
67
Update Update
Kobbie Mainoo is on, and Youri Tielemans is off.
67
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Benjamin Sesko comes on for Andrey Santos.
67
Attempt Attempt
Noussair Mazraoui takes a right-footed shot but misses.
66
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Cunha takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
64
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Patrick McNair comes on for Semi Ajayi.
64
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Lucas Herrington comes on for Nobel Mendy.
62
Attempt Attempt
Belloumi takes a left-footed shot but misses.
59
Attempt Attempt
Bruno Fernandes takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
56
Attempt Attempt
Ayden Heaven attempts a header but misses the shot.
56
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
51
Attempt Attempt
Ayden Heaven attempts a header but misses the shot.
50
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
48
Update Update
Offside.
46
Update Update
Marcus Rashford comes on for Patrick Dorgu.
45
Attempt Attempt
Bruno Fernandes takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
44
Attempt Attempt
Patrick Dorgu attempted a header but missed the shot.
42
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Matty Crooks receives a yellow card.
38
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot! Nobel Mendy scores with a header.
38
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Nobel Mendy scores to make it 2-0, assisted by Regan Slater.
36
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
35
Attempt Attempt
Bryan Mbeumo takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
34
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Patrick Dorgu.
29
Attempt Attempt
Patrick Dorgu takes a left-footed shot but misses.
25
Attempt Attempt
Patrick Dorgu takes a left-footed shot but misses.
21
Attempt Attempt
Belloumi takes a left-footed shot but misses.
20
Attempt Attempt
Youri Tielemans takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
17
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot! Semi Ajayi scores with a right-footed shot.
17
Attempt Attempt
Oliver McBurnie takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
17
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
17
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 1-0.
15
Attempt Attempt
Oliver McBurnie takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
14
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Cunha takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
13
Attempt Attempt
Bryan Mbeumo takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
1
Update Update
Offside.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Darren England.

CONCLUSION

Hull City completed a notable 2-0 win over Manchester United by scoring twice before halftime and defending resolutely thereafter. Despite trailing in possession and expected goals the home side maximized limited chances to claim the points. Manchester United controlled much of the game but lacked the finishing required to alter the scoreline. The absence of any dismissals ensured both teams competed at full strength from start to finish. This result illustrated how early scoring and tactical discipline can override statistical advantages in competitive fixtures. Hull City demonstrated efficiency in key moments while Manchester United struggled to translate dominance into goals. The final outcome reflected a performance gap between metrics and actual results that defined the contest.