Manchester United's 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Hull City on the opening day of the Premier League season was not only a shock in isolation — it fits squarely into a long and painful tradition of famous first-weekend upsets.

Hull, returning to the top flight after nine years away, had never previously beaten United in the Premier League. Under manager Michael Carrick, United were expected to be competitive from the off. Instead, Hull were the better side by a considerable margin, leaving United with the unwanted distinction of losing to a newly promoted club on an opening day for the very first time.

Brentford 2-0 Arsenal (2021-22)

Brentford's debut in the Premier League could barely have gone better. Arsenal, a club of vastly greater experience and resources, were overpowered at a raucous Gtech Community Stadium in what was also the first top-flight match played in front of a full crowd since the Covid-19 pandemic. The Bees were widely tipped for an immediate return to the Championship — yet they dispatched Arsenal with something close to ease.

Chelsea 2-3 Burnley (2017-18)

Chelsea had won the Premier League title the previous season and arrived at Stamford Bridge as heavy favourites against Sean Dyche's Burnley. Gary Cahill's red card after just 14 minutes changed everything. Burnley led 3-0 at half-time, and although Chelsea pulled two back, late red cards for Cesc Fabregas left Antonio Conte's side finishing the day with only nine men. Sam Vokes had already done the damage.

Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa (2013-14)

Christian Benteke had scored 19 goals the previous season and picked up precisely where he left off, netting twice as Aston Villa stunned Arsenal. Defender Laurent Koscielny was then sent off to compound Arsenal's misery. Spanish full-back Antonio Luna, a player who would last just one season in the Premier League, rounded off the scoring with Villa's third. The match produced nine yellow cards and one red — a record for any Premier League opening-day fixture.

Queens Park Rangers 0-5 Swansea (2012-13)

Michu arrived in England as an unknown quantity. The Spanish midfielder introduced himself in spectacular fashion, scoring twice and creating another as Swansea demolished big-spending Queens Park Rangers in West London. It was a result that set a grim tone for QPR's entire campaign — despite assembling an almost entirely new starting lineup, they finished rock bottom of the table come May.

West Brom 3-0 Liverpool (2012-13)

On the same opening weekend, Brendan Rodgers began his reign as Liverpool manager with a chastening loss at West Brom. Liverpool looked disorganised throughout, with defenders Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel both sent off and conceding a penalty in shambolic fashion. Romelu Lukaku marked his loan arrival from Chelsea by scoring the first of 17 goals he would register for Albion that season.

For United, the Hull result stings — but history suggests that one opening-day defeat, however embarrassing, rarely defines a season.