"We knew what would happen": a shocking admission from a United star | Goal.com
Manchester United's players dealt their fans a shock blow with a stunning 2-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday, at the start of the Red Devils' 2026-27 Premier League campaign.
Some of them did not settle for the poor performance alone. They made shocking admissions that may turn the optimism the team's supporters had felt since the end of last season, and during pre-season, into deep concern.
Luke Shaw admitted that his team had not prepared sufficiently to face Hull City's strengths.
The left-back described the result and the performance as "disappointing", but pointed out that the team's preparations had fallen short of the required level.
"We knew that would happen"
Shaw told "Stan Sports": "It's disappointing. We knew Hull's strengths, which are set pieces, playing out wide and sending crosses into the box. We defended well in some periods, but conceding two goals from set pieces was not acceptable," as reported by Metro.
He added: "We knew they were good at set pieces, and in the end it cost us the loss of three points. It's very disappointing, because this is not like us, and we knew that would happen. I think that, as a group, we could have prepared better, especially as we were aware of how dangerous they are at set pieces."
United also lacked the attacking sharpness needed to get back into the match, Shaw admitted, saying: "We lacked the decisive touch in attack to score goals and try to get back into the game."
No excuses
He stressed: "There are no excuses whatsoever in this match. It's the start of the season, and perhaps some players are still searching for their form, but that is no excuse."
He continued: "Manchester United should have gone to Hull, with all due respect to them, and secured the win." Hull's two goals both came from set pieces. The ball reached Ajayi after United goalkeeper Senne Lammens saved an attempt from Ollie McBurnie following a corner, while Mendy headed home the second from a Regan Slater free-kick.
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