The final league match of the 2014/15 season promises to be one of high drama and tension especially for the relegation-threatened home side. Manchester United’s season is effectively over, with fourth place secured, but they could have a huge impact on the relegation battle. Their opponents, Hull City, have to pick up maximum points to stand any chance of avoiding the drop.
Last time we met
When Hull travelled to Manchester in late November, they arrived having never taken a Premier League point away from United, and duly left with that record firmly intact.
Chris Smalling gave United an early lead before Wayne Rooney extended the advantage just before half time. The goal of the match was saved until last. Robin van Persie hit a wonderful strike, from the edge of the box, with all the precision and power that we’ve come to expect from the Dutch forward.
Hull created very little and matched their ineffectiveness in attack with some woeful defending and in truth the score could have been more. Michael Dawson somehow denied Radamel Falcao from scoring a fourth with a goal-line block late on in the match. For Louis van Gaal’s side this was the very definition of a routine victory.
Form guide
It was not so long ago that Steve Bruce’s side recorded impressive back-to-back wins over Crystal Palace and Liverpool. At that time it seemed that the Tigers would beat the drop. But three straight defeats, including a terrible 1-0 loss at home to Burnley, allied to the form of those around them and Hull’s survival is no longer entirely in their own hands.
The match at the KC Stadium is certainly the hosts’ biggest game of the season. They need to beat United, a feat they’ve yet to achieve in the Premier League, and hope West Ham beat Newcastle at St. James’ Park in order to stay up.
Manchester United’s season is all but over, Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland on Wednesday means that a fourth place finish for the Red Devil’s is now imminent. They blew their best chance of pipping the Gunners to third place with the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday. A Tyler Blackett own goal cancelled out Ander Herrera’s opener and meant a share of the spoils despite a dominant United display, particularly in the first half. The narrow 2-1 win at Selhurst Park in their previous away game, against Crystal Palace, had secured a return to Champions League football for Louis van Gaal and his team.
Form against each other
As previously stated, Hull City have yet to pick up a point against Manchester United in the Premier League era. It is also an unwanted fact shared by their boss Steve Bruce who has never managed one of his teams to a win against his former club.
In fact you have to go back forty years to the 1974/75 season to find a Hull City victory over United. In the second division, at Boothferry Park, the Tigers triumphed 2-0 over Tommy Docherty’s eventual champions. The Doc’s side did gain a measure of revenge later on in the campaign, winning by the same two goal margin at Old Trafford through goals by Stewart Houston and Stuart Pearson.
The majority of the fixtures between the sides happened in the 1920s and 30s when both were in the second division. They did meet in the FA Cup 6th round in 1949 when legendary United striker Stan Pearson put Matt Busby’s side through to the semi-finals.
There have been a couple of intriguing Premier League encounters in recent years. The 4-3 win at Old Trafford, in 2008, was high on entertainment and nail-biting tension when Hull fought back from 4-1 down to make a real game of it. The Tigers have also found themselves in a similar position as they are at present. On the final day of the 2008/09 season, at the KC Stadium, Hull’s top level future was uncertain. Darron Gibson hit an absolute screamer to give a youthful United side a 1-0 win but fortunately for Hull results elsewhere ensured that they extended their Premier League stay into a second season. This time round though the same outcome wouldn’t be enough.
Team news
It looks like Luke Shaw and Wayne Rooney will sit out the match at the KC, just as they did at Old Trafford against Arsenal. With vice-captain Michael Carrick definitely out, Chris Smalling could well retain the armband. The fitness of David de Gea, who has played in every match this season, is still in question so Victor Valdes could make his first start for the club.
Hull’s survival preparations have not been helped by the suspension of midfielder Jake Livermore. The England international’s alleged failure of a drugs test has only compounded Steve Bruce’s problems.
Who to look out for
Hull actually have a decent squad with experienced top flight campaigners in Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson. But goals have been a major factor in their struggles. Club record signing Abel Hernandez has failed to settle and Nikica Jelavic has struggled with injuries and consistent form all season. Dame N’Doye has made a fairly significant contribution, with 5 goals in 14 matches since his January arrival, and he could be the one to fire Hull to safety.
