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A new season breathes new optimism for the majority of football fans - and after an impressive second half of the 2025/26 campaign, there is seemingly good reason for positivity for Manchester United fans. There was no team better than Manchester United last season since Michael Carrick took the reins, but with Champions League football secured, the real test comes this season, when the balancing act must commence. It's fair to say that Hull City would have been one of the last teams on the list of promotion candidates from the Championship this time last year, but whilst the chaos ensued off the pitch elsewhere, the Tigers stuck to their task and grabbed their golden ticket. Many have questioned the standard of Hull's squad ahead of the new season, but with that comes great pressure for United to get off to the perfect start. History, however, has taught us that not only are there rarely any 'easy' games in the Premier League, but also that Manchester United rarely do things the 'easy' way. Brand new midfield pairing: The Signings of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos were confirmed within less than 24 hours of each other in mid-July, as the World Cup drew to a close. The former has been lauded by most as very astute business from a United perspective, bringing in a player who has been so pivotal to Aston Villa's recent success for just £35m. With the current status of the transfer market, that could turn out to be something of a steal. Andrey Santos was acquired for around £50m from Chelsea. The 22-year-old Brazilian is more of a somewhat unknown quantity in comparison to Tielemans. After being picked up by Chelsea from Brazilian side Vasco De Gama in the January of 2023, the then 18-year-old prospect was loaned back to Brazil before being loaned to Nottingham Forest. He would, however, be recalled from the City Ground in January 2024 after making just two appearances for the club. Following this, Santos would go on to spent 18 months on loan in France at Chelsea's BlueCo partner club Strasbourg, where he would flourish and earn his place in the Chelsea setup for the 2025 Club World Cup, and the subsequent 2025/26 season. Last season, the midfielder made 43 appearances in all competitions, including 27 in the Premier League. Midfield balancing act: After the difficulties of playing a 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 under Amorim, Michael Carrick has reverted to a 4-2-3-1 system that has seemingly resonated more with the players, as shown by the sharp upturn in form. One key factor for this upturn was a last hurrah from Casemiro, who finished the season as one of the form players before departing for Inter Miami after the expiration of his United deal. Another player who rediscovered form under Carrick was Kobbie Mainoo, who was borderline ostracised at times under Amorim despite a very successful period for club and country up until that point. With Bruno Fernandes a nailed-on in the 10, the pivot pairing for United will be an intriguing dilemma for Carrick this season. Tielemans brings an exceptional level of quality on the ball, but is not renowned for being the most mobile, meaning his partner will have to cover the shortfall from that. On paper, Santos' engine and strength in ground duels make him a viable option, but will that once again see Mainoo fall down the pecking order? Due to Mainoo picking up an injury in training whilst away at the World Cup, it seems as though Carrick's decision might already be made for him with regard to the Hull City game, but what will the base of the midfield look like when everyone is fit and up to speed? Having a brand new midfield partnership for the opening game of the season is something of a risk, but one could argue that if ever there was a game to get up to speed in the most competitive Premier League in years, then this Hull City game might well present that opportunity. Can United avoid Hull springing a surprise? With all the talk of the Hull game being a potentially favourable introduction, it must not be forgotten that this match will take place 360 days after the Grimsby fiasco that arguably spelt the beginning of the end for Amorim. Whilst that was a Cup game with a number of rotated players, the general premise still remains that it is imperative that United do not underestimate their opponents. Not least after last season, the Red Devils also dropped points to a Wolves side that had just two points in December. As such, Michael Carrick will be only too aware that there is no such thing as an easy game in the Premier League, and with Hull playing their first Premier League game for nine years against United, the crowd is certain to be a big factor. If United are able to nullify that crowd early on, then one would expect a reasonably comfortable afternoon. However, if they allow the Tigers to grow into it and harbour confidence, then it could result in the worst possible start for Michael Carrick's side. Opportunity to get off to a bright start: Whilst an early kick-off at an unfancied newly promoted team on opening weekend could prove to be a banana skin, there is no doubt that United have a great opportunity to kickstart their season in a winning fashion. Turmoil on and off the pitch has haunted the club for a number of years, and if this is truly to be the first step on the road to recapturing former glories, then no less than three points must be brought back to Old Trafford. Should United falter, the fear would be that the cycle of toxicity may kickstart once again, with history telling us that there is only one outcome in that scenario. However, if United win, and look convincing in doing so, then it allows fans and players alike to harbour optimism heading into a game against another newly promoted team on Matchday Two.