The final fixture of the 2014/15 season sees Manchester United visit the KC Stadium to face Hull City for just the 28th time. This one is a huge match for United’s opponents with a win absolutely essential if the Tigers are to remain a Premier League club next season.
Manchester United 3-0 Hull City (29/11/2014)
The visit of Steve Bruce’s Hull City to Old Trafford in November 2014 provided United with a routine victory. Chris Smalling got the scoring underway, when he headed home from Juan Mata’s corner, after just sixteen minutes. It took until the 42nd minute for United to turn their authority into a second goal. Wayne Rooney was on hand to side foot the ball past Hull keeper Allan McGregor following good build up work from Ander Herrera and Robin van Persie.
Van Persie might not be the same player as he was in 2012/13 and his form going into this fixture was hardly that of a top class finisher but he showed what he is capable of with a wonderfully struck third goal. It was the first time United had won three games in a row since Louis van Gaal took up the job and was a sure sign of progress under the Dutchman. For Hull it was clear evidence that it would be a long and difficult campaign.
Manchester United 3-1 Hull City (6/5/2014)
The final home match of the 2013/14 season will be remembered for several reasons. There were two new names on the team sheet. Tom Lawrence and James Wilson were handed their Manchester United debuts by caretaker boss Ryan Giggs. Both impressed, particularly 18-year-old Wilson, who struck twice to announce his potential as future first team regular.
Van Persie secured the victory, after Matty Fryatt had fired Hull back into the game spectacularly, and ensured United finished their most difficult season in over 20 years with three points and bring some cheer back to the faithful support.
The game also brought down the curtain on the glorious career of British football’s most successful ever player. Ryan Giggs made his 963rd and final appearance in the red of Manchester United, coming on in place of Lawrence. Although he couldn’t add another goal to his tally, he came close with a free kick late on, Old Trafford gave one of the club’s greatest ever players a fitting send off.
Hull City 2-3 Manchester United (26/12/2013)
Manchester United and Hull City provided supporters with a delicious feast of Boxing Day football at the KC Stadium. Hull were at one point 2-0 up in a pulsating encounter before United enjoyed another classic comeback to secure a huge win.
Goals from James Chester, a former United youngster, and David Meyler had opened the match in wonderful style for the hosts. But a goal from Smalling after nineteen minutes had pulled the visiting Devil’s back into the game almost instantly. The fourth goal of the game, and the equaliser, was scored in the 26th minute. Wayne Rooney hit a magnificent shot beyond the reach of the Hull goalkeeper and brought David Moyes’ side level.
It took until the second half, and an unfortunate own goal from James Chester, for United to clinch the match. Unfortunately for Moyes and United, even though 2013 ended in emphatic style, the year of 2014 was to be one to forget.
Manchester United 4-0 Hull City (23/1/2010)
In 2010, during Hull’s last spell in the Premier League, the Tigers were brushed aside at Old Trafford as they slipped towards the relegation trapdoor. Rooney played the role of chief executioner as he scored all four of United’s goals.
The England striker scored the opening goal after only seven minutes but he hit a quick fire treble between the 82nd and 90th minute. His performance highlighted the incredible contribution he made during the 2009/10 season, arguably his best campaign to date.
For Hull, they would ultimately suffer relegation in their second top flight season, and it would take until 2013 for them to return under the guidance of former United captain Steve Bruce.
Hull City 1-3 Manchester United (27/12/2009)
Just a month before the 4-0 victory at Old Trafford, United and Hull shared another post-Christmas encounter full of drama and goals. Rooney had a game of mixed fortunes scoring the opening goal before his calamitous backpass led to Hull equaliser from the penalty spot.
Rooney also had a hand in United’s second goal. It was his cross, which was diverted into his own net by Hull defender Andy Dawson that put the Red Devil’s back in charge of the game. And in the manner of a man with a point to prove, the England frontman played a delightful pass, through the legs of Anthony Gardner, to provide Dimitar Berbatov with a simple tap-in to complete the scoring and ensure United took home all the points from Humberside.
