Rooney singles out Shaw for 'schoolboy' defending in Man United's 2-0 loss to Hull

Wayne Rooney delivered a pointed verdict on Luke Shaw’s performance after Manchester United were beaten 2-0 by Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, with first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy handing the newly-promoted side a statement opening-day victory.

Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, the former United captain reserved his sharpest criticism for the second goal, arguing that Shaw’s decision to drop five yards behind his defensive line left Hull’s runners in an unplayable position from Regan Slater’s free-kick delivery.

“This is schoolboy defending from Shaw,” Rooney said. “Man United have a good line, and Hull have been waiting for this all day. Shaw drops in, he’s five yards behind his back line, and if this ball is good enough — which it was — it’s impossible to stop.”

Rooney also highlighted Shaw’s hesitation in the build-up, explaining that the left-back allowed Patrick Dorgu to press the ball wide rather than stepping out himself, which set off a chain of second-ball losses that ultimately led to Mohamed Belloumi drawing the foul for the free-kick.

“Tielemans — who’s probably fed up, he’s seen the ball going from side to side, get headed out, not pick up second balls — gives away a free-kick, which leads to the second goal,” Rooney added. “Hull had a game plan: get the ball in the box and pick up second balls, and Man United found it really difficult.”

The opening goal had arrived in the 17th minute when Hull goalkeeper Senne Lammens made a strong save from Oli McBurnie at the back post, only for Ajayi to react quickest and smash in the rebound. Rooney noted that Ayden Heaven had lost his marker in the build-up, compounding a difficult defensive sequence.

United head coach Michael Carrick acknowledged his side’s disappointment but maintained they had done “a lot of good things” during the game. The result leaves United with work to do early in the Championship campaign after arriving at Hull as heavy favourites.