Eight wins in a row against Hull dating back to 1975

On Boxing Day, Manchester United maintained their fine record against Hull City with an eighth successive victory against the Humberside club. ManUtdWeb takes a look back at a run which has seen United win every match they’ve played against the Tigers since 1975.

In November 1974, in a season which saw United win the second division title, Tommy Docherty’s Red Devils slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Boothferry Park.

It was only United’s third defeat of the league campaign, further to losses against Norwich and Bristol City. Despite the loss, United still led the Second Division by four points, with Hull sitting sixth.

The two teams would meet again in February 1975 – with United avenging their earlier defeat with a 2-0 win as Hull slid down the table and United continued their march to promotion.

First-half goals from Stewart Houston and Stuart Pearson proved the difference for United, in front of 44,712 spectators. Docherty’s men would go onto win the division, finishing three points clear of Aston Villa, whilst Hull ended the campaign in eighth.
 
The two teams would not meet again for 12 years, when they were paired in a League Cup second round tie.

In the first-leg, at Old Trafford, United cruised to a 5-0 victory over Second Division Hull, with 25,041 in attendance. Peter Davenport, Paul McGrath, Brian McClair, Gordon Strachan and Norman Whiteside gave United a commanding advantage, before McClair scored the only goal of the second-leg in front of 13,586 in Humberside.

It was over 21 years before Hull City would next face Sir Alex Ferguson’s side – with the club having won promotion to England’s top-flight for the first time in their 104-year history.

Hull had enjoyed an incredible start to the season, with 20 points from 10 league outings – two more than United - when they arrived at the Theatre of Dreams. The game was one to remember.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave the hosts an early lead, before Daniel Cousin restored parity. Goals from Michael Carrick, Ronaldo and Nemanja Vidic looked to have put United on their way to a convincing win, before Hull threatened an incredible comeback courtesy of Bernard Mendy and Giovanni, but the game ultimately ended 4-3.

The return fixture was less eventful on the pitch – with United ending the season with a 1-0 win at the KC Stadium, with Darron Gibson on the scoresheet; however the game was hugely significant as – despite their defeat – Hull avoided relegation as other results went their way, prompting manager Phil Brown to sing on the pitch! United, who notched up 90 points, had already been crowned champions.

Hull, however, failed to avoid relegation the next season. United’s two wins against the Tigers helped seal their fate – with a 3-1 win at the KC Stadium in December followed up with a 4-0 home victory later in the campaign, with Wayne Rooney scoring each of United’s four goals.

Steve Bruce’s men returned to the top flight in dramatic fashion in 2013 – but it has brought no fresh luck against MUFC, with David Moyes’ United making it eight wins in a row on Boxing Day. A fine comeback secured a 3-2 win.

MUFC - Eight wins in a row v. Hull City