Hull City assistant head coach Dean Holden has revealed that manager Sergej Jakirovic secretly devised a tactical plan to defeat Manchester United weeks before their Premier League opener — and kept it hidden even from his own squad during pre-season.

The Tigers delivered one of the biggest upsets of the opening weekend, beating Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium on Saturday. First-half goals from defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy sealed a historic result — Hull's first top-flight league victory over United since 1974.

A back five kept under wraps

Jakirovic, who had studied Manchester United's pre-season fixtures, identified a weakness in their defensive shape when opponents switched play quickly to wing-backs. He took particular note of the 4-2 loss United suffered against AC Milan, engineered by former United boss Ruben Amorim, who repeatedly exploited that vulnerability.

Holden explained the thinking to Match of the Day: "Serg had it in the back of his mind for three or four weeks that he was thinking of playing a back five. He didn't want to give anything away in pre-season, so we played a back four."

Rather than change their system publicly, Jakirovic waited. Holden added that clips from the AC Milan game — as well as Leeds United's use of a back three the week before — helped the coaching staff prepare their players for the system without arousing suspicion.

Comfortable without the ball

Hull managed just 28 percent possession across the 90 minutes, yet Holden insists that is no reason for alarm. "We are comfortable without the ball," he said. "We are comfortable in that mid-block — that is one of our biggest strengths. Counter-attack as well."

He cited Sunderland as a model for promoted sides who can compete without dominating the ball, and stressed that Hull's group is built on collective graft rather than individual brilliance. "There is no real superstars in there," Holden said. "The manager is the same, very humble. Feet will be firmly on the ground."

A remarkable journey to the top flight

Hull's return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence is the culmination of a dramatic turnaround. Just 15 months ago, the Tigers narrowly avoided relegation to League One, surviving on goal difference alone in 2024-25. They then became the first sixth-placed side in 16 years to win the Championship play-offs, defeating Middlesbrough in the final.

Three players who started that anxious 1-1 draw against Portsmouth on the final day of last season — the match that secured their Championship status — were also in the starting lineup that defeated Manchester United.

Despite being widely tipped as favourites for relegation, Holden is keeping expectations measured. "We are aiming to stay in the league," he said. "It is the hardest thing to do and then you build on top of that. But a win at home in the first game is beyond anyone's dreams really."