Man Utd fined over kit rule breach after 2-0 opening-day loss to Hull City

Manchester United’s opening Premier League fixture ended in embarrassment on two fronts: a 2-0 home defeat to newly promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium, and a formal reminder from the Premier League that the club had broken kit regulations by displaying the competition’s badge on only one sleeve.

Premier League rules require clubs without a sleeve sponsor to carry the competition’s badge on both arms. United are currently without a sleeve sponsor after their previous deal with DXC Technology — worth £20 million per year — expired, leaving them in breach of the regulation during Saturday’s loss. According to the Daily Mail, the Premier League issued United with a polite reminder rather than a formal sanction, and the badge is expected to appear on both sleeves when the club host Ipswich Town this weekend.

On the pitch, Hull — widely tipped to struggle on their return to the top flight — were comfortable winners. Goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy gave Michael Carrick’s side a deserved three points, leaving United with nothing to show from their opening fixture.

Captain Bruno Fernandes was candid in his assessment after the final whistle. “Every away game we give too much of the ball to them,” the Portuguese midfielder said. “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 types of goals. Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment.”

Fernandes was quick to frame Sunday’s home fixture as an opportunity to respond. “We are three points behind what we wanted to be and we have a huge game on Sunday to play at home,” he told the Press Association. “First one for our fans with a long wait after the summer, so we want to make it right and get the three points.”

The captain also reiterated the club’s broader ambitions for the campaign. “Our aim was to get back into the Champions League. Obviously, we know the aims of this club is never just that, but last season was a very good season for us. Now it’s just about improving and getting higher and higher on the table.”

United have been contacted for comment on the kit breach. The Premier League declined to comment when approached.