Intrigue surrounds the likely composition of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side at The KC Stadium but Phil Brown will have one sole focus: getting the victory that will guarantee his side Premier League football for another season.
Hull start ‘Survival Sunday’ just one point clear of danger so if they match 18th-placed Newcastle’s result at Aston Villa then they should retain their top-flight status. However if they lose and Newcastle lose, then Hull can be relegated if Middlesbrough overturn an inferior goal difference of four.
Facing the current European and World champions, and a team that last week won a third consecutive Premier League title, would on the face of it be a daunting task, but win the Champions League final fast approaching it could be a very United side taking the field.
Earning a wholly-underserved guard of honour could be the likes of Ben Amos and Craig Cathcart, if reports are to be believed, while Darren Fletcher will certainly feature given that suspension rules him out of the Rome final.
Rio Ferdinand needs to prove his fitness ahead of the Barcelona clash but other than that, Ferguson’s team selection is a closely-guarded secret.
The Tigers, meanwhile, are missing striker Manucho due to the terms of his loan move from Old Trafford.
Hull will certainly not complain if United are under-par, whatever they may say in public, as they have won only once in their previous 21 league games, seeing an impressive start to the season dissipate.
Another defeat could well bring their Premier League adventure to a swift conclusion but Phil Brown will draw comfort from the events of 2006-2007 when West Ham travelled to Old Trafford to claim the win that preserved their own status.
If Ferguson does field a dramatically-weakened team then expect messrs Shearer and Southgate to have long faces come the 4pm kick-off time.
PIVOTAL PLAYER: Darren Fletcher. The Scotland international could be United's senior figure and if he fails to get the best out of his young team-mates then Hull could profit.
PREDICTION: 1-1
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| Team |
Hull City |
Manchester United |
| Games Played |
37 |
37 |
| Goal Attempts |
|
|
| Goals |
39 |
67 |
| Ave Goals per game |
1.05 |
1.81 |
| Shots (excl blocked shots) |
353 |
486 |
| % Shots on Target |
40% |
47% |
| % Goals to Shots |
11% |
14% |
| Passing |
|
|
| Short Passes |
9,259 |
16,812 |
| Long Passes |
2,321 |
2,131 |
| Overall Pass Completion % |
68% |
83% |
| Crossing |
|
|
| Total Crosses |
897 |
1018 |
| Cross Completion % |
25% |
23% |
| Defending |
|
|
| Goals Conceded |
63 |
24 |
| Ave goals conceded per game |
1.70 |
0.65 |
| Tackles |
779 |
720 |
| Tackles Won % |
74% |
69% |
| Blocks, Clearances & Interceptions |
2420 |
2017 |
| Discipline |
|
|
| Fouls |
549 |
421 |
| Yellow Cards |
68 |
60 |
| Red Cards |
3 |
5 |
|