Tigers in talks for striker Ansahpublished at 09:48 BST 24 August
09:48 BST 24 August
Mike White BBC Radio Humberside sports editor
Image source, Getty Images
Hull City are in talks with Bundesliga side Union Berlin for forward Ilyas Ansah.
At 6ft 6in, the Tigers feel the 21-year old German's versatility would give them the option of deploying him elsewhere and not leave him sitting on the bench when Oli McBurnie is fit and available.
Germany Under-21 international Ansah made his senior debut for SC Paderborn before moving to Union Berlin last summer.
Turkish side Besiktas were reportedly interested earlier this year in the player, who is valued at about £11m.
Ansah scored five goals and registered two assists in 26 games for Union Berlin last season.
Listen to talk about Hull City every Monday to Friday on Humberside Sport at 18:00 and subscribe to our dedicated Hull City page on BBC Sounds for all the latest Tigers interviews, discussion and special features.
Will Hull defy a 'lazy but understandable' prediction?published at 08:59 BST 24 August
08:59 BST 24 August
Emlyn Begley BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
"We are trying to prove people wrong."
Hull City certainly managed to support their manager Sergej Jakirovic's desire as they shocked Manchester United - and many neutral observers - with a 2-0 win on their return to the Premier League.
The Tigers have been predicted by many to finish bottom, having only squeezed into the Premier League via last season's Championship play-offs.
Mike White, BBC Radio Humberside's sports editor and Hull City commentator, said: "Everyone wrote them off before a ball was kicked, with questions or even predictions that they'd 'do a Derby' [for the lowest points tally in Premier League history].
"It was a somewhat lazy, but in so many ways, understandable prediction - because why wouldn't you tip them to go down as the last team to come up and who've had questions about some of their recruitment?"
The manner of the Tigers' promotion made their status as relegation favourites even more pronounced.
Hull only squeezed into the play-offs, overtaking Wrexham into sixth spot on the final day.
They then became the first team to finish sixth and win the play-offs since Blackpool in 2010.
Having beaten Millwall, they won the final 1-0 against Middlesbrough - whose place had only been confirmed three days before after semi-final opponents Southampton were expelled after being punished for spying.
They also gained promotion despite having the fifth-fewest shots and facing the third most shots in the division.
Hull's achievement was made even more remarkable by the fact they had only avoided relegation on the final day - and on goal difference - in 2025.
Five of the starting line-up against United played for the Tigers in that near-relegation season.
Boss Jakirovic spoke out this week after former Premier League players Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Wayne Bridge mocked Hull's chances of survival on a podcast.
BBC reporter White said: "The comments went beyond understandable observations and made it more personal - resorting to ridicule and mockery and it's rubbed a few people up the wrong way.
"What it did do was act as extra motivation for a Tigers side who were already fired up to prove people wrong, or more importantly prove to themselves that they're more than a match for football's elite."
What numbers say about McBurnie's Premier League returnpublished at 07:20 BST 24 August
07:20 BST 24 August
Nick McPheat BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, Getty Images
A shock 2-0 victory against Manchester United was earned through goals by Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, but Oli McBurnie was absolutely integral to a fine win.
The striker's back-post attempt on the stretch resulted in a stunning stop from goalkeeper Senne Lammens, which then allowed Ajayi to slam in on the rebound.
McBurnie also had a goal-bound header saved during an outstanding first half from the Premier League newcomers, but it was a moment after the break that had the home fans on their feet and Scotland great Ally McCoist waxing lyrical.
With United attempting to mount a fightback, the forward raced back into his own half, wide on the right, to win back possession and keep the ball in play before skipping past Youri Tielemans and Bryan Mbeumo, then finding a pass.
His stats made for good reading, too. Among his team-mates, nobody had more shots, created more chances or won more fouls.
He also competed in more duels than any other Hull City player, winning 11 of them. By the 75th minute, he had applied 50 high-intensity pressures.
This is a player who has vast experience of playing as a lone striker - and doing it well - while also providing attacking output.
Hull City 2-0 Man Utd: How the players ratedpublished at 20:39 BST 22 August
20:39 BST 22 August
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Hull City XI:
Konstantinos Tzolakis: Excellent one-handed save to turn away Bryan Mbeumo's angled drive, commanding when he came for high balls. Really good debut. 8.
Lewie Coyle (off 70): Early deep cross for Oli McBurnie from right wing-back area gave a hint of Hull's plan to attack from wide areas. 7.
Semi Ajayi (off 63): In the right place to smash home the rebound to put Hull ahead. His first Premier League goal since January 2021, for West Brom at Wolves. A rock at the back. 9.
John Egan: Middle of a defensive three, but stepped into midfield when Hull had the ball. Played the position really well. 8.
Ryan Giles (off 84): Like Coyle, a major threat going forward, but got back into position defensively to deny the visitors the same space he enjoyed. 7.
Regan Slater: Superb curling free-kick invited Nobel Mendy to attack it for Hull's second. Part of a really good midfield effort. 7.
Matt Crooks: Dominated the central midfield battle, industrious and encouraging while never letting his own standards slip. Quietly impressive. Even had the energy for a charge downfield that forced Senne Lammens to clear. 8.
Nobel Mendy (off 63): Debut goal capped a fine display, defensively sound, made the clearances when he needed to. 8.
Mohamed Belloumi: Very calm performance, tidy short passes and rarely gave the ball away, which allowed Hull to build momentum. 8.
Oli McBurnie: Impossible for the visitors to deal with. He didn't score, but the threat he posed created space for team-mates to exploit. 8.
Elliot Stroud (off 70): Got away with a late tackle on Harry Maguire in the early stages, which angered the Manchester United defender. However, the rest of his performance was hugely positive. 7.
Hull City substitutes:
Paddy McNair (on 63): Solid defensive effort against his old club. 6.
Lucas Herrington (on 63): Hull were playing on the counter-attack and he held his position well. 6.
Liam Millar (on 70): Led a late breakaway but couldn't create a third. 6.
Cody Drameh (on 70): Nipped in on Luke Shaw to prevent him getting a cross over as the visitors' pressure mounted. 6.
Matt Targett (on 84): 6.
Subs not used: Dillion Phillips, Jens Hjerto-Dahl, Kieran Dowell, Lucas Gourna-Douath.
Jakirovic's tactics 'spot on' against Red Devilspublished at 19:08 BST 22 August
19:08 BST 22 August
Image source, Getty Images
Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Hull's shape was really good. They stuck to the job and worked hard, which is what they're going to have to do to try and stay in this league.
"And obviously, it looked like they identified a weakness in Manchester United in putting balls into the box and utilised that really well. All they can do is try and take as many points at home as they can. It's a great start.
"Hull were fantastic. The manager [Sergej Jakirovic] was spot on when he talked about preparation. I watched Manchester United against AC Milan, and they struggled stopping crosses into the box. Hull looked like they played on that, they got the ball out wide, put good crosses in the box and caused United problems.
"Hull defended well in the second half. They looked powerful, they looked strong. United didn't look at the races and Hull overpowered them in both boxes. That won them the game.
"From a fitness point of view, it can be tricky for the top clubs who have a lot of players away in a World Cup year. There was a lack of intensity. In terms of the press, Man Utd sat in a mid-block, but didn't get pressure on the ball.
"In the next few games, players will pick up that fitness. Ultimately, you want to see a little bit more, especially when they go 2-0 down. You want to see more urgency."
Hull City 2-0 Man Utd: What Jakirovic and Ajayi saidpublished at 15:46 BST 22 August
15:46 BST 22 August
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Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It means a lot, we were organised, and it was very good for us.
"The players stick to a tactical plan. We suffer because we play against Manchester United but we punished the opponent.
"We are one year together, we had three new guys and, all together, they looked like a team there and in the end we succeeded."
On how pleased he was with the team: "We had a lot of problems because we made four substitutions in our defensive line, which is unusual. You have to play, you have to fight and maybe now we need more players."
On doubters: "This is football. We are professionals. We are trying to prove people wrong. I know there are 37 games to go, but this is a good base for the future."
Hull City defender Semi Ajayi, speaking to TNT Sports about his goal: "It was amazing, it capped off a great start that we had had.
"I was buzzing to get the goal that got us on our way. I didn't really care if any of us scored, there was no VAR check, so I was buzzing that we got the goal."
On proving people wrong: "We're not focused on outside noise, we back ourselves to do well and, hopefully, we will have a really positive season."
Hull City secured their first ever Premier League victory over Manchester United (P11 W1 D2 L8) and their first league win against the Red Devils since November 1974 in the second tier, ending their 11-game winless run against them.
Semi Ajayi became the first player to score a Premier League goal for Hull City against Manchester United since Matty Fryatt back in May 2014. The Tigers had failed to score with any of their previous 37 attempts on goal against the Red Devils in the competition before Ajayi's opener today.
Analysis: Tigers show tenacity and talentpublished at 14:48 BST 22 August
14:48 BST 22 August
Emlyn Begley BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Since Hull were relegated from the Premier League in 2017, they have been down to League One and back before beating Middlesbrough 1-0 in the Championship play-off final to seal promotion last season.
Their team was a mix of EFL stalwarts and new signings - with Senegal defender Mendy, Greece goalkeeper Tzolakis and Swedish winger Elliot Stroud making their debuts.
That combination was best highlighted by the second goal in the 38th minute.
Slater, who joined the club initially on loan from Sheffield United in League One - and only cost £50,000 when he signed permanently - swung in a ball for Mendy - a £20m-plus purchase from Rayo Vallecano - to power in a header past Lammens.
That came after Nigeria international Semi Ajayi - released by West Brom last summer after refusing to take a pay cut - had scored his side's first Premier League goal since Sam Clucas in that humbling defeat by Spurs.
Sergej Jakirovic, the first manager in the Premier League from Bosnia-Herzegovina, will not let his Tigers get too carried away after being written off as relegation candidates by many on the eve of the campaign.
But this was a promising start, especially from a team hit by several injuries.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Ipswich v Sunderland" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Tottenham match", for example.
Hull City v Man Utd: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:18 BST 21 August
19:18 BST 21 August
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Hull City kick off a first Premier League campaign in nearly a decade by taking on 13-time winners Manchester United. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into the meeting at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.
The Tigers are the first side to be promoted to the Premier League after finishing sixth in the Championship since Blackpool in 2010, having defeated Millwall and then Middlesbrough in the play-offs.
Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic - the first Bosnian Premier League manager - will take on the challenge of keeping the newly promoted side in the top flight and to do so he may need to develop Hull's style of play.
Despite triumphing in the play-off final in May, Hull's underlying numbers last season were not those of an elite outfit.
They had the fifth-fewest shots of any second-tier team in 2025-26, while only bottom club Sheffield Wednesday had a higher tally of expected goals against. Hull also faced the third-most shots (681), an unwelcome set of statistics that underline the club's status as favourites to return to the Championship.
Hull, though, can take some solace from a solid opening-day record in the Premier League. They have triumphed in three of their five opening matches in the competition, defeating reigning champions Leicester City on their most recent appearance in 2016.
This time round the Tigers take on a United team who have won their opening Premier League fixture on an unrivalled 22 occasions.
Carrick's men, boosted by new signings including midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, are facing promoted sides in their first two matches, with a home game against Ipswich Town to come, providing the Red Devils the perfect opportunity for a strong start following their third-place finish last season.
Carrick has won four of his six managerial meetings with Hull (D1, L1) and is unbeaten in three visits to the MKM Stadium (W2, D1).
United's manager will also be hoping that the form of Bruno Fernandes continues into this campaign as the club return to Champions League football.
The club captain set a record for most assists in a Premier League campaign last season with 21, along with scoring nine goals – making Fernandes the first United player to be involved in 30 or more goals in two Premier League seasons.
Sutton's predictions: Hull City v Man Utdpublished at 18:18 BST 21 August
18:18 BST 21 August
Hull City's assistant head coach Dean Holden came on the Monday Night Club this week and spoke really well about how they will approach the Premier League. It sounds like they will be horrible to play against, and will be happy to go direct when they have to.
With them starting at home, getting a result against Manchester United - who Holden is a big fan of - could really make their season.
I think they will be competitive, but my worry for Hull is from looking at how they did last year, when they lost a third of their games in the Championship.
As a story, Sergej Jakirovic getting them from 21st place into the play-offs, and then up, is remarkable. Now they just need to hang on in there in the Premier League, but that will be very difficult.
United have not done much in the transfer market this summer, but Youri Tielemans is a really good signing - a safe signing, if there is such a thing - like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were last year.
As things stand, they are going to be stretched by being in the Champions League and I do feel like Carrick overachieved by getting them there.
Now the expectations are rising following their third-place finish, but they are nowhere near Arsenal at the moment.
I think them having European football, while Tottenham and Chelsea don't, will have a huge bearing on the season, which is why I left United out of my top four.
They should begin with a win, but this is the start of a full-on campaign for them, which makes it far more difficult, and they will need to add to their squad.
'Hull City will survive' - fan views on ex-players commentspublished at 11:55 BST 21 August
11:55 BST 21 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on ex-Premier League players Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Wayne Bridge being scrutinised for comments about the Tigers on a podcast.
Here are some of your comments:
Andy: The Joe Coles of punditry have literally no idea about the efforts Hull City are making to create a squad with a chance of survival in the Premier League. Last season came to a remarkable conclusion with that win at Wembley, but now Hull City are approaching a Premier League season with several quality signings and more to come. To be so instantly (and disrespectfully) written off boils down to very lazy punditry. Bottom line: my feeling is that Hull City will survive.
Mark: These ex-players attempting to make Hull City's glorious journey about them tells you all you need to know about them as people. The fact any promoted club is expected to slip straight back down shows how unevenly weighted the Premier League is. It would benefit football in general if the playing field were levelled more.
Matt: We are in the Premier League on merit. We won the play-offs fair and square. Yes, we are favourites to go down, but let's just see how the season goes. Win or lose, we don't care - we will follow Hull City everywhere. C'mon the Tigers, it's going to be one hell of a ride.
Chris: After a well-deserved front-door entry into the Premier League (because there is no back door), City need to maintain the close team spirit and determination that was evident throughout the 2025-26 season. That's the foundation and, as a lifelong supporter, I am looking forward to the journey, however bumpy it is. Shame on those disrespectful characters who think it's OK to laugh at the club and I give full respect to the owner, the manager and, of course, the supporters for their honest and passionate support.
Former England and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole said he had turned down the chance to be a pundit for their opening match - adding he would be "stunned if they stayed up".
He joked: "They've come here through the back door. They've slipped in."
His words prompted comments from fans and Hull's owner Acun Ilicali responded, stating: "It is disappointing to see my beautiful city criticised by people who should know better. As a club we are used to being underestimated and we enjoy it, and we enjoyed it more when were promoted last season.
"For me, seeing two ex-players making fun of a deservedly promoted club, is more laughable than the things they were laughing at."
And now, speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, Jakirovic has said ex-players should know better and can bet on their expectations if they are convinced Hull will fail.
"It's easy to say we will be 20th. If you are so convinced you can bet on it. Earn a lot of money or lose," he said.
"Every prediction is against us. Even for me it is normal. I don't like to see this disrespect of worth against us. Nobody gave us anything. We deserved everything on the pitch last season. We fought until the last game to reach the play-offs, we beat Millwall in two difficult games and then in the final against Middlesbrough. We are now here, we deserve to be here. No fear, we are doing our job, we love our job and we will do everything to express ourselves on the pitch."
Hull City's numbers last seasonpublished at 09:08 BST 21 August
09:08 BST 21 August
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Image source, Getty Images
Hull City defied history and statistics in the Championship last season by not only becoming the first sixth-placed side to be promoted to the Premier League since Blackpool in 2010, but doing so despite having the second-worst expected goal difference in the league.
Despite only four teams taking fewer shots, only four scored more goals than Sergej Jakirovic's side as they had the best shot-conversion rate in the league.
This was partly because only two sides created better chances on average, although they still scored 10 more goals than expected even taking that into account.
The fact that Hull got promoted with one of the worst defences is even more remarkable, as only three sides conceded more goals.
On top of that, the Tigers actually conceded 14 fewer goals than expected given the number and quality of shots they faced, with only two teams giving up more shots and only bottom side Sheffield Wednesday having a worse defence in terms of xG.
Such an incredible achievement means Hull City have a fight on their hands to not become the victims of their own success this season.
Why was the Premier League so competitive in 2025-26?published at 08:14 BST 21 August
08:14 BST 21 August
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Image source, Getty Images
In the Premier League last season, 13 of the 20 teams finished with between 40 and 60 points - the most in an English top-flight campaign since 2003-04 (also 13).
Was the Premier League so competitive in 2025-26 because the quality of the 'lesser' teams got better or the top teams got worse? It is hard to know for sure.
Given how savvy clubs like Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth are, the vast amounts of money that enable even bottom-half sides to sign the best talent from abroad and the Premier League's current dominance of the Europa League and Conference League, it would seem to be the former.
However, the fact that promoted play-off winners Sunderland were able to finish above 13 teams in their first season back suggests the league was maybe not as strong as we think.
What we do know is that whether because they got worse or their opponents got better, four of the sides that finished in the top seven in 2024-25 - champions Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest - took 79 points fewer between them last season.
While Forest's decline was perhaps expected given their incredible seventh-place finish in 2024-25 and their journey to the Europa League semi-finals last season, the others were far more surprising.
Sunderland and Leeds smashed the recent run of promoted sides struggling to compete by taking 64 more points than the teams they replaced in the top flight.
As a result, this season will be a bit of an upside-down one in that Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland have European campaigns to navigate while Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle do not.
Will we therefore see a bounce-back to the more 'traditional' order in 2026-27 or are we truly entering a new, fiercely-competitive era of the Premier League?
Jakirovic on transfers, Premier League status and facing Man Utdpublished at 14:23 BST 20 August
14:23 BST 20 August
Marissa Thomas BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester United at MKM Stadium (kick-off 12:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Jakirovic was asked if defenders Nobel Mendy or Lucas Herrington could come straight into the team due to Charlie Hughes being out injured but would not divulge his team news.
On how many more players he would like before the transfer window closes: "I'm expecting three or four more players. We bought some players, they are good players, potential players but they need more time for adaptation and to get chemistry with the team. We did a good pre-season now we can start the official games. Our recruitment team together with Mr Chairman [Acun Ilicali], they are working [on] a lot of new players so we need some positions still. We need more players and also for the competition on these positions."
He added they are trying to "add some quality in our team" and "I hope we will do this until the end of this transfer window".
Asked to comment on the potential signings of Yeremay Hernandez and Pablo Garcia, Jakirovic said "they are not our players".
Jakirovic said he was "buzzing" to get started in the Premier League and added: "We will try to make [it] a difficult game for Manchester United. Of course they are favourites. I can't wait because I want also to compete with other managers. Sometimes, mostly we will be underdogs but still we are used to it to fight there and try to use our opportunities on the pitch."
On what it means to the city to be in the Premier League: "Everything. A lot. You can compare with the best teams, the best players, the managers. We are not here just to participate in this season so we will try to do our best. Of course it is not easy. I saw all these predictions and everything but it is great motivation to prove them wrong if it is possible. We have another plan if things are not going so good so you have to prepare everything for next year, next season. At least we can fight, show some of our potential and what we have in our team."
His message to the fans is to "be supportive like all of last season" and he said he knows they will be because the team will "never surrender until the end of the game".
'You can imagine what it means to me' - Ilicalipublished at 13:49 BST 20 August
13:49 BST 20 August
Mike White BBC Radio Humberside sports editor
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali is preparing for the club's return to the Premier League, the latest milestone in a life that has taken him from bankruptcy and personal tragedy to television stardom.
Dubbed Turkey's Simon Cowell, Ilicali has become one of the most recognisable figures in his home country, a rise that might once have seemed unlikely after he was declared bankrupt in his twenties.
Now, as Hull prepare for their first season back in the top flight since he bought the club in 2022, he says he is approaching the challenge with the same determination that has defined much of his life.
On the streets of his home city of Istanbul, he cannot go anywhere without being recognised and asked for a picture or a few moments of his time.
While I was with Ilicali in Istanbul, he took a video call with a potential transfer target and offered a mesmerising sales pitch about Hull City's plans for the Premier League. By the end of the call, he certainly had me convinced, such is his enthusiasm for the project.
"I didn't have enough money to buy football shirts when I was a kid, now I'm the owner of a club in the Premier League," he says. "You can imagine what it means to me."
It hasn't all been smooth sailing over the first three and a half years, however, and there was even a threat of relegation to League One that saw them survive only on goal difference in May 2025.
The club has also faced scrutiny over its finances, with recently published accounts showing underlying losses rising to £41.7m, while promotion brought fresh challenges around profit and sustainability rules.
Twelve months later, a memorable and dramatic day at Wembley Stadium saw the Tigers seal victory in the play-off final and promotion to the Premier League.
Amid all the successes he has experienced in his career, where does that moment rank?
"It's number one," he tells me. "If you'd given me eight years, I'd say we can do it. In four and a half years, to get promotion, I can say it's my biggest achievement in business."
Image source, Getty Images
