Fernandes admits United repeating 'same mistakes' after shock 2-0 opening-day loss at Hull

Bruno Fernandes admitted Manchester United are repeating the “same mistakes” from last season after a 2-0 opening-day defeat to newly promoted Hull, with Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scoring in the first half to give the hosts a deserved win on their return to the Premier League.

The result was a sobering start for United, who came into the season with genuine optimism after Michael Carrick guided them to third place and Champions League qualification in his first full campaign as manager. Hull, however, were well-organised and clinical from set-pieces — exactly the scenario Fernandes said the squad had identified as a threat beforehand.

“Same mistakes as we did last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to them,” Fernandes said after the match. “In the first 20 minutes, the goalkeeper was the one with the most touches. We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals. Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment.”

The United captain acknowledged that Hull’s ground and their motivation on returning to the top flight made for a difficult environment, but insisted the manner of the defeat was self-inflicted. “We know in the Premier League these type of grounds are very difficult to play in,” he added. “You need to match everything in intensity, aggression and everything. We had that apart from two set pieces. That cost us the game.”

Carrick, who was handed a two-year contract after his impressive interim spell, urged calm rather than panic. “It is hugely disappointing, of course it is, we came here to win so to not take anything away is hugely disappointing,” he said. “It’s not more than that, not less. We have to soak it up and come back stronger. We have lost one game and it is not a nice one.”

Wayne Rooney, however, was less measured in his assessment, describing Fernandes’s post-match comments as a telling sign of a deeper problem. “It’s a strange quote from Bruno,” Rooney said. “For Manchester United to build on what they did last season, you have to become a team who teams are scared of playing against.” The implication was clear: if the captain is already flagging the same recurring flaws, the issues run deeper than a single bad result.