Two Man Utd stars slammed for being like ‘deer in headlights’ in defeat to Hull
New Man Utd midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have been criticised for looking like “deer in headlights” against Hull City.
The Red Devils lost 2-0 to the newly-promoted side on Saturday afternoon to flatten the pre-season optimism sweeping around Old Trafford after Michael Carrick’s brilliant spell at the end of last campaign.
Man Utd failed to deal with a corner on 17 minutes with Senne Lammens saving an effort from Oli McBurnie – but Semi Ajayi was there to poke the ball home and give the home side a deserved lead.
Nobel Mendy thumped home a header on 38 minutes with the summer signing converting Regan Slater’s whipped free-kick.
Man Utd struggled to create many clear-cut chances all afternoon with a lack of penetration from midfield and Sky Sports‘ William Bitibiri insisted that Tielemans and Santos struggling at the MKM Stadium.
Bitibiri said: “The biggest disappointment from a Man Utd perspective will be the midfield. New signings Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have looked like deer in headlights.”
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Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd thought Man Utd lacked aggression in the first half and called for Rashford to come on at half-time, which he did.
Reflecting on the first half, Boyd said on Sky Sports: “Man Utd have been disappointing, they have allowed Hull to play out from the back. The balls in have been poor and when they have got in there, there just has not been that aggression.
“For me, Rashford has to come on at half-time as nothing has come down their left side.”
Part way through the second half, Boyd added: “Man Utd started the second half on the front foot, but there has not really been anything since. They need to start gambling as they are really struggling to break down this stubborn Hull team.”
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Former Hull City defender Curtis Davies expected more from Rashford too, he said on BBC Sport: “It’s one of those changes at half time that shows impetus from the manager, but it didn’t really give Manchester United that lift you’d expect. Whether that’s on Marcus Rashford or what’s happening at the moment for United.”
Giving his reaction ex-Rangers and Scotland striker Ally McCoist said on TNT Sports: “It’s one of the shocks of the season already, it really is.
“A lot of people, myself included, had Hull to go back down but if they can keep this level of performance going you never know.
“Hull were supremely organised with a back five. A great result.
“Manchester United more than a little concerned.”
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