Hull City v Manchester United: Tigers aim to tame the champions
Hull City had three reasons to be cheerful last weekend. Firstly Phil Brown’s men got a vital point away at Bolton Wanderers (although how it wasn’t all three remains a mystery). Newcastle United then lost to Fulham, ensuring that Hull City’s point at the Reebok lifted them above Alan Shearer’s men and outside of the bottom three. And finally they cheered as Manchester United clinched the Premier League title knowing that the Champions League holders and finalists won’t need anything from the KC Stadium when they visit on Sunday.
Hull City’s future is very much in their own hands. Beat Manchester United and they stay up, no matter what Newcastle United do at Villa Park. Even if Hull City and Newcastle United manage to gain a share of the spoils it will be the Tigers who stay up. As long as their result is the same as the Magpies then Hull will be capital central on Sunday night.
However, they couldn’t have picked a tougher opponent if they tried. The Red Devils have been in formidable form this season. United have won more games and kept more clean sheets than anyone else and are on course to become the first team since the creation of the Champions League to retain the trophy.
Phil Brown may be spared from facing the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney and Carrick as Fergie prepares for their big day out in Rome on Wednesday night. But that doesn’t mean Hull City have got it easy though as those squad players who come in for the superstars will be looking to push for a starting place in the Champions League final themselves. If anything it may make it harder for the Tigers who have only managed one win in the league since the middle of December.
Hull City have only triumphed over Manchester United twice since the end of the Second World War and only once in the league, back in 1974. But let’s not forget that the Tigers went to Old Trafford earlier this season and put three past them. Unfortunately for them they conceded four, but at least they know that they can score against the champions.
If Hull City fans had been offered this scenario at the start of the season they would have snapped your arm off. Their amazing debut season in the top flight will be determined by this final fixture. Can they cap it off with a win over the champions or will they slip back through the trap door? Only one panel member believes that Hull can stay up with a victory with a further three thinking that they can get a point. But will that be enough? I’m sure Hull fans will be cheering on Aston Villa as much as they are the Tigers.
The majority believes the champions will end the season with a win.
