Bruno Fernandes lamented familiar failings from Manchester United after they slumped to a humiliating 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Hull City in their Premier League opener.
Pre-season optimism around United quickly faded on Humberside as they produced a hugely disappointing display, with the Championship play-off winners belying their status as relegation favourites with a superb victory.
Semi Ajayi gave Hull a 17th-minute lead, which was doubled 21 minutes later when Nobel Mendy headed home from a free-kick.
United never threatened to produce a comeback, leaving captain Fernandes to bemoan a display that, for him, had echoes of last season’s form on the road.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, Fernandes said: “Same mistakes as we did last season every away game,” he said. “We give too much of the ball to them, in the first 20 minutes the goalkeeper had more touches on the ball, too much time.
“We need to press a little bit more, be more aggressive, and set-plays – we need to work on it, to be more aggressive and try not to concede these types of goals. We knew before the game that [set-pieces] would be a big part of their game.
“They played a full pre-season with a back four. They went against us with a back five, also to have some height, also for these moments because they could get a chance from it and defend well from our set-pieces. The most frustrating thing is that we lost the game.”
Manager Michael Carrick, meanwhile, pointed to his side’s lack of cutting edge.
“Some of it was okay, there’s bits to improve on,” Carrick said.
“It was never going to be perfect, but going behind and giving ourselves a lot to do makes it more difficult.
“It was a typical one of those games, with a newly promoted team at home. You can’t give them much, they’ve got a lot to hold on to.
“After that, we had moments and opportunities but we didn’t have the spark to put the chances away or create any more. We’re bitterly disappointed with the result, but we won’t let it knock us.”
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