Manchester Utd v. Hull City - match preview
Set to return?
By Chris,
October 31 2008
Manchester United will hope to extend their unbeaten run to eleven games on Saturday as surprise package Hull City visit Old Trafford. The Tigers go into the game two points above United in the table after a stunning start to the campaign - but they travel to Lancashire on the back of a 3-0 defeat at the hands of table-topping Chelsea.
Following
their play-off final win over Bristol City, Hull
were widely tipped to go straight back down to the Championship. However, Phil
Brown's men have silenced the critics with a series of stunning results
including away-wins at Arsenal, Newcastle
and Spurs.
They
arrive at Old Trafford sitting fifth in the table but are still massive
underdogs against United. They're forced to make the first change to their
starting XI in six months with stalwart defender Ian Ashbee unavailable through
suspension.
Despite
their Wednesday night reality check against Chelsea, Phil Brown is determined to fight
for a result this weekend: "I've said to
the players that if anybody doesn't fancy getting something on Saturday, don't
bother coming."
Sir Alex
Ferguson is expected to make changes following the comfortable 2-0 win over
West Ham. Edwin van der Sar should return between the sticks, with Michael
Carrick also in line for a recall. Gary Neville could switch with Rafael Da
Silva at right-back, whilst Wes Brown is injured with an ankle problem.
This is the first time the two clubs have met since 1987 - with United cruising to a 6-0 aggregate victory over Hull in the League Cup. This is Hull's first ever top-flight journey and United must be warned against complacency as they seek to prevent claiming another incredible result.
Hull will still be brimming with confidence despite the defeat to Chelsea. But if I think United score early then we could fire home a shedful. If not, then it could be an afternoon of frustration.