90 precious minutes will decide the fate of Hull City as they face Manchester United on the last day of the season. The Tigers play at home knowing that nothing short of a win and a Newcastle draw or defeat will help them stay up in the Premier League. Steve Bruce’s men have lost 3 games in a row and will need to buck up if they want to play Premier League football next season.
Manchester United have qualified for the UEFA Champions League, well they have their fourth place at least and will be looking to provide no favours to ex-player Bruce. The game might be coming at the end of the season, but it does have some extra juice thanks to the threat of relegation for Hull. We look at the 3 key battles in the game which could decide which way the game swings.
Harper vs. Rooney
The only way Hull can hope of surviving is if they keep a clean sheet and United will be looking to ensure that does not happen. Steve Harper could be in for a long day at work with Rooney and the gang wanting to score a few goals and end the season on a high. Manchester United have not been as prolific in front of goal as they usually are, but that will surely count for nothing as they can turn on the style when needed, Hull need to be really careful.
Huddlestone vs. Fellaini
A battle not to be missed out on, although both players haven’t been that great this season, Fellaini has become an important part of the United style of play while Huddlestone is the metronome that controls the Hull attack. Both players will be extremely important for their respective clubs and the player who has a better turn out on the day could swing the game for their side. Would it be the control and tempo of Huddlestone or the brute force and heading ability of Fellaini? We will have to wait and see.
Elmohamady vs. Young
If anyone would have expected a United winger to hit top gear this season it wouldn’t have been Young coming to mind. Ashley Young has had a great season for United and could be on the verge of the England national team once again, if Hull are to keep United quiet from the wings, Elmohamady will have to play the game of his life and hope to keep the English winger quiet throughout the game, this will be one battle to keep an eye out for and with the way Young has been playing of late, not too many people would bet against the pacey winger taking the mickey out of the Hull player.