Manchester United vs Hull City – 3 Key Player Duels That Will Decide The Result

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.

2. Ahmed Elmohamady vs Ashley Young

One of the first teams to regularly implement the three at the back system over the last few years have been Hull. One of the main reasons why they have been able to be so successful with the system, while others have failed has been their wing backs. In Elmohamady, Steve Bruce has the perfect wing back. Not only can the Egyptian remain solid and resolute at the back, he has been one of the best in the League, in terms of going forward and helping out in attack.

Injuries to Luke Shaw and Daley Blind means that Ashley Young will take his place as the left wing back for United. Against Arsenal, Young came on with great effect and has, throughout pre-season shown just how effective he can be, even when deployed as a wing back. If the England international can curb the threat of Elmohamady then half the job will already be done, but if the Egyptian can get the better of Young, expect the right flank to be the visitor’s main source of attack.

3. Michael Carrick vs Tom Huddlestone

The centre of the park will see two former Spurs midfielders go head-to-head. For United, Michael Carrick’s return from injury has been timely. The Englishman has not only provided cover in defence, where they are still short on numbers, but has also ensured that the Red Devils don’t miss Daley Blind, whose injury rules him out for the next few weeks at least. Calm and composed in possession, Carrick has provided the perfect platform for the attack while also offering cover for the defence.

For Hull, Tom Huddlestone has been an important player ever since his move from Spurs. The central midfielder’s ability to spread the play and help out in attack has been an integral part of the way the Tigers play. Whoever comes on top in this battle of deep-lying creators, will decide which side has control of the game.