Hull City Face Fitness Race Ahead of Manchester United Opener as Injury List Swells
Hull City have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Premier League return, with manager Sergej Jakirović assessing no fewer than eight first-team players following a series of injury concerns during pre-season.
The Tigers host Michael Carrick’s Manchester United at the MKM Stadium in a mouth-watering opening weekend fixture. However, their preparation has been severely disrupted by fitness doubts surrounding key figures, including Canadian international winger Liam Millar and high-profile new signing Lucas Herrington.
Millar provided the biggest scare over the weekend after being forced off during a friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt. Early indications suggest the winger may have avoided long-term structural damage, but he remains under close medical evaluation to see if he can feature against United. Having been a standout performer during Hull’s promotion campaign, losing Millar’s threat on the flank would leave a glaring hole in the side’s attacking setup.
Meanwhile, teenage defensive prodigy Lucas Herrington is also being carefully managed. The Australian international, who made waves at the 2026 FIFA World Cup before completing a record-breaking move from Colorado Rapids, is working through a late assessment as he adjusts to the physical demands of English football. The 19-year-old center-back was brought in as a cornerstone of Hull’s defensive setup, making his potential absence a significant head-scratcher for the coaching staff.
The medical room at the MKM Stadium is increasingly crowded. Forward Joe Gelhardt has been ruled out after picking up a knock late in pre-season, while central defender Charlie Hughes remains sidelined as he recovers from an ongoing problem. Concerns also linger over Mohamed Belloumi and midfielder Matt Crooks.
Hull have undergone a massive squad rebuild this summer, bringing in 11 new signings at a cost of roughly £78 million to gear up for top-flight survival. Yet, with so many key components currently unfit or lacking match sharpness, Jakirović faces an uphill battle to integrate his new-look team in time for Saturday’s kickoff.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Jakirović acknowledged the difficult circumstances but insisted his side would not offer excuses. “We have a few knocks and several players who need final fitness tests before Saturday,” the manager noted. “It is not the ideal scenario when preparing for a club like Manchester United, but we have built depth in this squad for a reason.”
Manchester United will be eager to bounce back from a shaky end to their own pre-season schedule, but face an unpredictable challenge against a revamped Hull side. Whether the Tigers will have enough fit bodies to pull off an opening-day upset remains to be seen as the medical staff works round the clock.
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