Hull City
Rashford Gives United a Lift, but Hull Exposed Deeper Problems
Rashford impressed off the bench, but United’s set-piece issues and lack of fight cost them at Hull.
Manchester United opened the season with an outcome that stands out in the club’s modern history, and not for the right reasons. Saturday brought only their ninth defeat in 35 seasons of the contemporary era, but it also marked a first: they lost away to newly promoted opposition on the opening weekend for the first time in any competition.
The visitors improved after the break and, in that sense, there were reasons for a more measured reading of the performance. United had made clear progress last season and still carry hopes of challenging for the Premier League title by May 2028. Even so, Hull stayed organised and did enough to secure the result.
The decisive detail was clear enough. Both Hull goals came from set pieces, while their threat in open play was minimal. Their open-play xG was only 0.07, compared with 1.19 from set pieces. United, by contrast, generated 1.81 xG overall and 1.50 in open play, although they offered little of note from dead-ball situations themselves, finishing with 0.30 xG from set pieces.
That imbalance matters. Set pieces are likely to remain a major factor throughout the season, and any side carrying a weakness in that area starts at an immediate disadvantage, regardless of broader quality. United must tighten that aspect if the opening defeat is not to become a familiar pattern.
There was also a question of intensity. Hull looked the more committed side, and the numbers backed that up. They won 59% of all duels, including 60% on the ground and 58% in the air.
Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, offered a more encouraging note. A move is still possible, but it would now be a surprise if he is not a Manchester United player on the morning of Sept. 2. Having been given the No. 9 shirt worn by club figures including Sir Bobby Charlton, Andy Cole, Tommy Taylor, Jack Rowley and Brian McClair, he did not start after only one preseason appearance, against AC Milan, and a compressed build-up. Yet his second-half showing, after replacing Patrick Dorgu on the left, suggested he can contribute this season. He brought pace, created four chances and was the most creative player on the pitch.
United were better with Rashford than without him. Benjamin Šeško, who scored 11 Premier League goals last season, also arrived with promise but a disrupted summer after injury and a fitness complaint that carried over from May.
Arsenal
One key issue facing each Premier League side after five matches
Five games in, the Premier League is already revealing title doubts, transition pains and early surprises.
The first five matchdays of the 2026/27 Premier League season have already given shape to a campaign that promised uncertainty from the outset. With the table still settling and another international break leaving a long pause before Matchday 6, there is time to take stock of what has emerged so far.
Arsenal’s title defence has already met resistance after a heavy defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. Before that trip, they looked close to untouchable, but the champions have not yet shown enough to pull clear of their rivals. Bruno Guimarães has added quality, though injury has delayed his rhythm, while Christos Tzolis has stepped in as a serviceable replacement for Leandro Trossard. Even so, Arsenal’s attack was found wanting in their toughest test to date, with concerns lingering over the goalscoring burden on Bukayo Saka and the lack of a set-piece breakthrough.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, are navigating a period of change after rebuilding their core in the summer. Their first league win of the season offered encouragement, with Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and João Gomes all making useful contributions. Bournemouth have begun slowly under Marco Rose, but there is little panic as they balance league form with European demands after an opening win at Real Sociedad. Brentford continue to look like a difficult assignment at home, built on physicality and a set-piece threat that has already caused problems for visiting sides.
Brighton’s pressing game has been a feature of the early weeks, while Chelsea’s start under Xabi Alonso has raised serious questions about their structure without the ball. Coventry City finally recorded a first Premier League win in more than 25 years, though goals remain a concern. Everton’s window left them thin on options, Fulham are showing signs of adjustment under Álvaro Arbeloa, and Hull City have been one of the early surprises, even if history offers a warning.
Elsewhere, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur all have distinct questions to answer as the season develops.
Hull City
Jakirović admits Manchester United ambition as Carrick pressure grows
Jakirović has named Manchester United as a dream job while Carrick faces growing scrutiny.
Hull City manager Sergej Jakirović has made clear that he is aiming high, with Manchester United on his radar as speculation continues around Michael Carrick.
Carrick has come under sharper scrutiny after United managed only two wins from six matches in all competitions, with the recent collapse against Brighton & Hove Albion only intensifying the discussion around his position. The United boss has dismissed the idea that his job should already be in doubt, calling it “ridiculous”, but that has done little to calm the wider talk.
Jakirović has now added another layer to the conversation by openly stating his admiration for the United post. When asked whether he would think about a return to Dinamo Zagreb, the Croatian said to RTL: “Where am I? I’m looking towards Manchester United … I’m looking more towards here to get to the biggest clubs because I think you should dream.”
At this stage, Carrick is not in immediate danger. His strong work in the second half of last season, when United climbed into Champions League qualification after being written off under former boss Ruben Amorim, remains an important part of the picture. That recent progress is a major reason club officials are understood to be behind him and expect a recovery.
Even so, modern football leaves little room for comfort. If results continue to go badly, decision-makers at Old Trafford will have to consider every possibility, including life after the current manager.
United’s meeting with Fulham on Sunday offers a chance to steady the mood. Another poor result would not end Carrick’s time in charge, but it would deepen the pressure and make the international break far more uneasy for him.
Brentford
Joao Pedro facing spell out as Chelsea await clearer injury picture
João Pedro’s knee problem could keep him out for around three-and-a-half weeks.
Chelsea are waiting on the latest assessment of João Pedro after the striker was forced out of Brazil duty and left with questions over how long he may be sidelined.
Brazil confirmed his withdrawal without naming a specific issue, saying only that he was “injured.” Since then, the most detailed update has pointed to a knee problem. ESPN Brasil reported that Pedro sprained ligaments during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Hull City, a match in which he completed the full 90 minutes.
That information has already been passed to Brazilian officials, who then made the decision to remove him from their squad. Chelsea, though, have not issued an official statement of their own, leaving the situation to be read through the available reporting.
Xabi Alonso has tried to keep a calm public line ahead of Friday’s meeting with Brentford, even if the concern around his striker is obvious. “He has moved on from the summer, he has moved on from the World Cup,” Alonso said of the striker.
“He has shown this desire, determination to have a great season so far. The summer is far away now. He will be [in the Brazil squad] in the future. I’m pretty sure he is going to be.”
On current reports, Pedro is expected to miss around three-and-a-half weeks while recovering from the knee issue. That makes his involvement against Brentford look highly unlikely, regardless of Alonso’s optimism.
The timing of the injury may at least give him a cleaner recovery window. With September and October’s international breaks merged into one extended pause, Chelsea are not back in action until Bournemouth visit on Oct. 10. That date falls roughly three-and-a-half weeks after news of Pedro’s injury first emerged, which could place his return in that range.
