Hull star spent one week as a Man United player and won a trophy in incredible story

Hull City star Oli McBurnie spent just one week as a Manchester United player, lifting the Milk Cup and winning the tournament’s Golden Boot in 2013, but why?

Hull are back. They take on Michael Carrick’s men this afternoon in either side’s opening fixture of the 2026-27 Premier League, broadcast by TNT Sports.

Sergej Jakirovic’s men were among the most unlikely Championship sides to ascend to the English top-flight last season; however, play-off victory secured Premier League football for Hull in stunning fashion.

One player stood tall among the Hull City line-up, as perhaps the most crucial component in their promotion-achieving machine.

That man is McBurnie, whose last-minute winner in the play-off final versus Middlesbrough, a 95th-minute strike in the six-yard box, granted his club ascension to the Premier League.

The 30-year-old will now enjoy his sixth career season of English top-flight football, having played three prior with Sheffield United, and two with Swansea City.

McBurnie registered nine goal contributions in 21 games during the 2023-24 season, his most recent in the Premier League; ahead of today’s showdown against Manchester United, fans are reminiscing on the Hull City star’s teenage stint with the Red Devils, when he was called upon during a striker crisis at the club.

McBurnie’s remarkable Milk Cup and Golden Boot lift for Manchester United U-18s

The now 30-year-old was once called upon in times of need by Manchester United, while the teenager was at Bradford, to appear in the Milk Cup for the Red Devils’ Under-18s side.

The tournament was held in Northern Ireland, and McBurnie joined forces with his temporary club on a Thursday, with the competition beginning next Monday.

Among the Hull City star’s team-mates were Andreas Pereira, the side’s captain, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford.

McBurnie even had the opportunity to train at Carrington with the senior team, stating: “I was nervous… [Wayne] Rooney, Nani, [Cristiano] Ronaldo on the pitch. It was unbelievable.

“I was starstruck, but I loved every minute,” confessed the now 30-year-old. McBurnie proceeded to win the Milk Cup for his U-18s side, and the Golden Boot, by bagging five goals in five games.

Stunningly, his play-off magic versus Middlesbrough to conclude last season was also on display in his cup-winning run for the Red Devils.

McBurnie scored a last-minute winner in the Milk Cup final versus County Tyrone, then returned to Bradford with a medal, memories, and a playing career beyond Manchester United ahead of him.

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“My confidence was so high when I got back to Bradford,” confessed the Hull City star. McBurnie has bagged 13 Premier League goals across his career, and will be hoping to improve that tally after recording 18 Championship strikes last season en-route to the Premier League.

Whether the Hull City star will turn the tables on his former club today — he’s already scored against Manchester United before, back in 2023 — remains to be seen; however, Red Devils fans might have to give the 30-year-old some leeway if he does, out of respect for the legendary Milk Cup run of 2013.