Man United v Hull – Premier League Match Report

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Hull City took a vital point home with them from Old Trafford last night and in the process severely dented Jose Mourinho’s hopes of finishing in the Top Four, as the sides played out a 0-0 draw.

This was the second time in the space of a week that the two sides have faced each other and after Hull had beaten United at the KCOM on Thursday night, the Tigers were feeling positive pre match about their trip to the “Theatre of Dreams”.

Some of Hull players where absolutely superb with Jakupovic, Maguire, Meyler and Huddlestone all playing out of their skin. The latter continues to shine in each of Hulls games and looks to be a player in his prime. The Tigers had a fairly busy transfer deadline day prior to Wednesday night’s game. The signings of Andrea Ranocchia, Alfred N’Diaye and Kamil Grosicki will make many Tigers fans feel more comfortable about the current season.

 

United’s first real attack came within the first few minutes. Herrera dinked a beautiful ball over the Hull defence for the Armenian Mkhitaryan, who was goal side, to run on to. Robertson recovered brilliantly to lunge in and knock the ball away to save a certain early goal.

In a reverse attack just minutes later, Hull won a free-kick within crossing territory of the United box. United set up with a high line which nearly cost them. As the ball was swung in, Maguire freed himself of the attentions of Pogba and connected with a diving header at the back stick but the ball drifted wide as De Gea was routed to the spot.

Towards the end of the first half Jakupovic showed his class in what would be a superb man of the match performance, and not for the first time this season. Carrick again picked out a lovely ball to Swedish striker Ibrahimovic, who played Pogba clean through on goal. Pogba’s left footed effort was expertly saved by Jakupovic, the £89 million midfielder again failed to live up to his hefty price tag as you would have expected him to put it a chance like that away.

 

Pogba took his frustration out on Maguire when he made a cracking run, but was brought down by the frustrated Man United player. Hull were lucky not to be reduced to 10 man before the end of the first half as Niasse who was already carrying a yellow lunged into a studs up tackle on Micheal Carrick. A decision that Mourinho was not best pleased about.

As the game entered the second period, Jakupovic continued his extraordinary performance. A cross from Ander Herrera was met at the back post by Smalling who headed it back across goal to Mata, the Spaniard hit it left-footed into the corner of the goal but Hulls keeper was again equal to it and got across quickly to scramble the ball clear with his feet.

 

 

As the game headed towards its end, Hull were heading for a famous result at Old Trafford. Huddlestone picked out new-signing Lazar Markovic down the left-wing and the loanee from Liverpool travelled into the area before turning Smalling disguising a shot to De Gea’s right instead of opting for the ‘keepers preferred near side. The ball was hit with venom and cannoned off the post. The Red Devil’s goalie was rooted to the spot once again.

Times got desperate for United as Ibrahimovic looked optimistically for a penalty and the home side had another chance in stoppage-time when Rojo send a header flying across the goal, the centre-back hit it promisingly, with pace and power but Jakupovic would not be beaten, catching the ball with what ended up being the final action of an superb game for the ‘keeper. A historic week for Hull, beating Man United and drawing with them within a week. The Marco Silva effect. For United it was another frustrating evening and league-high ninth draw of the season.

 


Written by Mike Cross, you can follow Mike on Twitter @HullJournals




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