Manchester United travel to Hull City as Jose Mourinho looks to maintain his 100% record till now. The Red Devils are slowly beginning to look like the Manchester United we know and most of it has to be attributed to the bold choices taken by the board over the summer. Meanwhile, Hull City have shocked everyone by convincingly winning their opening couple of games of the season. Considered amongst the favourites for the drop before the season began, they have quickly made the pundits do a double-take with their determination and excellent attitude on the pitch. But they will be facing a task of a different magnitude altogether when Manchester United come calling. Boasting arguably the best squad in the Premier League, with their ruthless manager determined to prove his detractors wrong after a disastrous season at Chelsea, it will be an uphill task for the Tigers today.
TEAM NEWS
HULL CITY
Mike Phelan does not have any fresh injury concern for the Tigers with Josh Tymon expected to recover from a midweek knock. Allan McGregor (back), Michael Dawson, Moses Odubajo (both knee) and Alex Bruce (Achilles) are still long-term absentees while Harry Luer is ruled out for a couple of weeks.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Jose Mourinho has no injury concerns and largely has a whole squad to choose from.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
HULL CITY (4-1-4-1)
Jakupovic- Elmohamady, Davies, Livermore, Robertson- Clucas- Snodgrass, Huddlestone, Meyler, Diomande- Hernandez
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)
De Gea- Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Shaw- Pogba, Fellaini- Mata, Rooney, Martial- Ibrahimovic
KEY MEN
HULL CITY
ROBERT SNODGRASS- The winger will play a key role in Hull’s fight for survival this season. With chances expected to come at a premium today, Hull will be eager to capitalise on any dead-ball opportunities that might fall their way. This makes Snodgrass an important part of the match and with his ability from set-pieces, Hull will be quietly confident of getting something out of them.
MANCHESTER UNITED
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC- The usual suspect. Ibrahimovic will look to dominate the defence and if Manchester United are able to break down the Hull backline early on, it might be a field day for the Swede. He has been in imperious form and is performing exactly as Mourinho had hoped he would. With almost certain goals in his locker he will be expected to open the deadlock.
LIKELY OUTCOME
While Hull have been the surprise package of the season so far and are sitting on top with the likes of the Manchester clubs and Chelsea, the difference in quality is clearly noticeable. But the Tigers will be geared up to give another favourable account of themselves against the title favourites. Meanwhile Manchester United will look to carry on with their new found dominant attitude and intent and these are the type of matches they will be expected to breeze through.
