Jakirovic: Victory over Manchester United proves Hull belong in Premier League

Sergej Jakirovic expects confidence will prove key to Hull’s fortunes this season after they returned to the Premier League with a bang to defeat Manchester United 2-0.The Tigers last competed at this level in 2017, and got the new campaign under way at home against Michael Carrick’s side having already been widely written off as a team likely to head immediately back down to the Championship.Semi Ajayi gave Hull the advantage in the 17th minute and Nobel Mendy doubled that lead with a header in the 38th minute, leaving United trailing at the break by a deficit they would then fail to address in the second half.Jakirovic hopes the result will cement an increased confidence among the squad, who set out this season to defy the lack of faith shown in them by pundits.He said: “I’m very happy,