Gloating Hull City fans taunt Joe Cole after his bizarre claim he had snubbed covering their Premier League return for TNT Sports

Hull City taunted Joe Cole - who wrote them off for this Premier League season - in their thrilling first match against Manchester United.

Supporters chanted 'are you watching, Joe Cole?' as they stunned Michael Carrick's side with goals from centre-backs Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy.

Cole has drawn criticism for laughing at the newly promoted club, saying they are 'gone' on The Dressing Room podcast in the build-up to the season.

He also bizarrely claimed that TNT Sports assigned him to the Hull-Manchester United match and that he put his phone on Do Not Disturb to avoid contact about it.

Daily Mail Sport has since exclusively revealed that he was never lined up to cover the match anyway.

Fans have taken to social media to highlight what they see as Cole's ‘condescending’ and ‘disrespectful’ attitude, with some even claiming that the Championship play-off winners should ban Cole from its stadium.

Hull City fans mocked Joe Cole - who laughed at their Premier League chances - as they went 2-0 up against Manchester United in their opening match

Hull City fans mocked Joe Cole - who laughed at their Premier League chances - as they went 2-0 up against Manchester United in their opening match

Hull owner Acun Ilicali responded to his comments, writing on social media: 'It is disappointing to see my beautiful city criticised by people who should know better.

'As a club we are used to being underestimated and we enjoy it, and we enjoyed it more when were promoted last season.

'The true beauty of a place is in its people, and that’s why, for me, Hull is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

'For me, seeing two ex-players making fun of a deservedly promoted club, is more laughable than the things they were laughing at.'