Hull City 2 Man United 0
23 Aug 2026 - THE OBSERVER / Sport Rory Smith The low point probably came after 73 minutes . Manchester United were losing 2-0 to newly promoted Hull City, the start of what is supposed to be Michael Carrick ’s glorious restoration fracturing immediately upon exposure to sunlight. United had been soft-bellied and blunt-edged. In their corner of the MKM Stadium, their fans glowered and groaned. Then the intercom crackled into life. “Manchester United fans travelling by rail from Hull Paragon station,” the announcement began. At that point, everyone knew it was not good news. Not with trains involved. The 15.03 and 17.03 back west, in this case, the announcer said. He left a comic pause. And then, with just a hint of relish: “ They have been cancelled .” It turned out to be one of those days, the kind that Manchester United thought they had left behind. Carrick’s arrival, back in January, had – possibly just a touch unexpectedly – brought an understated serenity to Old Trafford after the...