English Premier League
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw admits Hull City defeat was avoidable after set-piece collapse
Luke Shaw says Manchester United knew exactly where Hull City posed a threat but failed to prepare properly, after the Red Devils began their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with a shock 2-0 defeat on Saturday.
The result was a major setback for supporters who had been encouraged by the optimism surrounding the club at the end of last season and during pre-season preparations.
Shaw described both the performance and the result as “disappointing”, while acknowledging that Manchester United’s preparation had not reached the required standard.
“We knew it was going to happen”
Speaking to Stan Sport, Shaw said Manchester United had identified Hull City’s main strengths before the match but were unable to deal with them effectively.
“It is disappointing. We knew Hull’s strengths were set-pieces and playing out wide and putting crosses into the box. We defended well at times, but conceding two goals from set-pieces was not acceptable,” he said, as reported by Metro.
“We knew they were good at set-pieces, and in the end it cost us the three points. It is extremely disappointing because this is not like us, and we knew it was going to happen. I think, as a group, we could have prepared better, especially because we were aware of how dangerous they were from set-pieces.”
Both of Hull City’s goals came from dead-ball situations.
The first followed a corner when Manchester United goalkeeper Seny Lammens saved an attempt from Oli McBurnie, only for the ball to reach Ajayi, who finished the move.
Hull then doubled their advantage when Mendy headed in a cross from a free-kick delivered by Regan Slater.
Shaw also admitted that Manchester United lacked the attacking sharpness required to change the course of the match.
“We were missing that decisive touch in the attacking areas to score goals and try to get back into the game,” he said.
‘No excuses’
The Manchester United defender rejected any suggestion that the early stage of the season could explain the defeat.
“There are absolutely no excuses in this game. It is the start of the season and perhaps some players are still looking for their level, but that is not an excuse,” Shaw said.
He added that Manchester United should have travelled to Hull expecting to win, while making clear that his comments were not intended to dismiss the hosts.
“Manchester United should have gone to Hull, with all due respect to them, and won.”
The defeat leaves Manchester United facing immediate questions after the anticipation that had built around the team during the closing stages of the previous campaign and the period before the new season.
Shaw’s comments underline the frustration within the squad, particularly because Hull City’s threat from set-pieces had been recognised in advance. Rather than being surprised by the home side’s approach, Manchester United were punished by the very situations they had identified as a danger.
The lack of attacking impact compounded those defensive problems, with the visitors unable to find the goal that might have brought them back into the contest.
