Newly promoted Hull face Manchester United in early kick-off opener.

Hull vs. Manchester United begins at 12:30 [GMT+1] on Saturday, August 22, at the MKM Stadium. Newly promoted Hull possess an impressive opening-day Premier League record of their own. Their route back to the Premier League came through the Championship play-offs. Hull achieved promotion despite recording the fifth-fewest shots in the regular season with 515 and facing the third-most attempts at 681. Their xG difference of -20.6 was also the second-lowest among the Championship's 24 clubs. The home side have won three of their five previous opening fixtures in the competition, giving them a 60% success rate. Only Blackpool and Manchester United have recorded a better win percentage in Premier League Matchday One fixtures. Hull's most recent Premier League opener was particularly memorable, as they defeated reigning champions Leicester City at the beginning of the 2016-17 season. That campaign ultimately ended in relegation, however, with Hull conceding a league-high 80 goals and losing their final three fixtures by an aggregate score of 13-1. Having finished sixth before securing promotion through the play-offs, Hull became the first team since Blackpool in 2010 to reach the Premier League from that position. The fixture will also mark a significant moment for Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic, who is set to become the first Bosnian to manage in the Premier League. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Oliver McBurnie in attack is expected against the Red Devils.

Manchester United will enter the contest with recent form strongly in their favour, particularly given their unbeaten opening-day record against promoted opposition. United have never lost a top-flight opening fixture against newly promoted opposition, winning nine and drawing three of their previous 12 such matches. This will be their first opening-day encounter with a promoted club since 2010-11, when they recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory over Newcastle United. Their overall record on the first weekend is similarly impressive. Manchester United have won their opening Premier League match on 22 occasions, more than any other club in the competition's history. However, they were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal in their first fixture last season and will be attempting to avoid consecutive opening league defeats for the first time since 1972-73 and 1973-74. Recent Premier League form gives United considerable encouragement. Across the competition in the 2026 calendar year, they have collected a league-high 41 points and recorded 12 victories, level with Arsenal for the most wins. United have also scored a division-high 36 goals during that period. They will be keen to extend that record when they face Hull on Saturday. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Bryan Mbeumo in attack is expected against the Tigers. Mason Mount is doubtful while Matthijs de Ligt and Benjamin Sesko are back in training.