Hull City vs Manchester United – Predicted lineup and team news

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The Football Faithful

·22 August 2026

Hull City vs Manchester United – Predicted lineup and team news

Hull City host Manchester United at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon, marking the club’s first Premier League fixture in nine years.

Sergej Jakirović’s side arrive with genuine optimism after a summer of significant investment, but a substantial injury list tempers expectations for the opener. Nine years is a long wait, and this occasion will be one Hull supporters have been anticipating since their play-off final win at Wembley in May.

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Hull City team news

The absentee list is significant. Jack Butland is out following elbow surgery, Eliot Matazo is sidelined with a knee injury, and Darko Gyabi is unavailable with a groin problem. Oscar Zambrano, one of the summer’s new arrivals, is out with a thigh issue for at least a month.

Charlie Hughes continues to recover from groin surgery with no clear return date, while Joe Gelhardt, another new signing, is expected to be sidelined for around three weeks with an ankle injury. Hidemasa Morita misses out with a calf problem, but could be involved in next week’s EFL Cup tie. Cody Drameh and Matty Jacob both require assessment before a final decision on their involvement.

Record signing, Nobel Mendy, who arrived from Rayo Vallecano, is expected to make his debut in central defence. Goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis is in line to start between the posts, with Jens Hjertø-Dahl and Elliot Stroud also poised to make their first appearances for the club.

Regan Slater and Matt Crooks anchor the midfield, with Mohamed Belloumi providing width. Oli McBurnie, who scored 19 times in all competitions last season and struck the winning goal in the play-off final, leads the attack. Semi Ajayi and Matt Targett complete the back line alongside Mendy and Lewie Coyle.