Manchester United might have got off to their worst start in over two decades, but things are finally starting to look up for the Red Devils. Although injuries have been piling up since the start of the season, United have started show resilience and spirit. Their win over Arsenal catapulted them to fourth place and another win, this time against Hull, who have lost their last nine matches against the home side will cement their position for another week.
Here are the three major battles that will decide the outcome of the game.
1. Angel Di Maria vs Michael Dawson
The Argentine playmaker has struggled in his past few games and although his miss against Arsenal didn’t cost the side any points, it did deprive them of a clean sheet. After a fantastic start to his career at United, Di Maria has stuttered against the big teams. While some of it might be because of being played out wide, the fact is that he will certainly be relishing the prospect of playing against Hull, whose three-man defence will afford him with more space and time to work his magic.
If the visitors are to have any chance of stopping the 26-year-old, then their centre backs, especially Michael Dawson needs to be weary of the threat he poses. One of the main reasons why Hull have made more clearances and blocks than any other team in the League this season has been Dawson. The most of experienced of Hull’s three centre backs, the Englishman has to marshal his troops with utmost care if the Tigers are to come away from Old Trafford with anything short of a hammering.