In Hull's first match in English top-flight football since 2017 - and in Elliot Stroud's competitive debut for the club - the newcomers showed they can compete with top teams.
After just a quarter of an hour, striker Oliver McBurnie had headed the ball against the post. The first goal came two minutes later from a scrambled corner, where Semi Ajayi was last on the ball. In the 38th minute, fellow defender Nobel Mendy rose highest from another corner and it was 2-0.
Under interim manager Michael Carrick, United finished last season strongly and secured a place in the Champions League. As a reward, the 45-year-old Englishman was given a two-year contract.
His league debut was not a success, however. United failed to mount a proper late push and Hull took all three points.
"We are making the same mistakes we made last season in every away game. We are losing the ball too easily," Fernandes told TNT Sports.
Then you have to match the opposition completely in terms of intensity and attitude. We did that, apart from the two set pieces, and that's what ultimately cost us the match.
Elliot Stroud was substituted in the 70th minute.
