Owen Hargreaves names signing Man Utd must make after dismal Hull defeat

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (second right) and players react after losing their Premier League match against Hull City at the MKM Stadium, Kingston upon Hull. Picture date: Saturday August 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
United fell to a wretched defeat on the opening day of the season (Picture: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire)

Owen Hargreaves believes Manchester United must sign another striker before the summer transfer window closes after their season-opening defeat to Hull City.

United suffered a disastrous start to their new Premier League campaign, beaten 2-0 by the newly-promoted Tigers on Saturday afternoon, undone by two set piece goals.

The visitors offered no real threat chasing the game and were soundly beaten at the MKM Stadium with new signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans struggling on their competitive debuts for the club.

Carlos Baleba is set to arrive to offer another option in midfield with a new left-back also on their radar before the transfer window closes on 1 September.

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Benjamin Sesko started on the bench against Hull having not played a single minute of pre-season as he recovered from a shin problem. Matheus Cunha started through the middle in his absence with Hull’s three centre-halves dominating aerially.

Former United midfielder Hargreaves believes United have assembled a squad well capable of finishing in the top four this season with Baleba’s arrival imminent.

But the former England international believes Saturday’s performance demonstrated why they need another centre forward in the ranks.

GOAL Hull City defender Nobel Mendy (32) celebrates scoring goal to go 2-0 during the Premier League match between Hull City and Manchester United at the MKM Stadium, Kingston upon Hull
Hull fully deserved all three points (Picture: Ian Lyall/ProSports/Shutterstock)

‘I think they could probably do with another striker option,’ Hargreaves told TNT Sports.

‘I think that showed today, Sesko didn’t start and Cunha played a little bit deeper. He’s a 10, and plays very effective off the left.

HULL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Manchester United at MKM Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
United offered little threat on the opening day (Picture: Manchester United)

‘But I do think with Baleba coming into the team, it is a good squad and it is a top four squad, I just think they were at their best last season counter attacking teams.

‘They were at their best counter attacking teams, remember the first ones, Carrick’s first games against City and Arsenal.

‘Today where they had possession of the ball they didn’t look like scoring. I think it will be easier when the space opens up. Today there wasn’t that. I think they go back to the drawing board and look at what they can do differently.’

United are back in action against another newly-promoted side in Ipswich Town next weekend.

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