Sunday 24 May 2015

Hull Vs Man Utd Results & Stats

Sun 24 May 2015, The KC Stadium
0 - 0
FT
Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 24,745
#HULMUN




Match Report

Hull City were relegated from the Barclays Premier League after drawing 0-0 with 10-man Manchester United at the KC Stadium on the final day of the season.
Steve Bruce knew he needed to oversee a first victory over Man Utd in his managerial career if Hull were to have any chance of escaping the drop at Newcastle United's expense as they did in 2009.
However, Newcastle's 2-0 victory over West Ham United ultimately ensured even a win would not have been enough for Hull, who were unable to find a breakthrough despite United substitute Marouane Fellaini's 77th-minute sending-off.
Fellaini received a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Paul McShane, but there was still no way through for Bruce's men, who were FA Cup finalists 12 months ago in their first season back in the top flight.
Hull, who had two goals disallowed for offside in quick succession during the first half, will now return to the Championship, having lost half of their BPL matches this term.
United, meanwhile, end their maiden campaign under Louis van Gaal in fourth place, albeit 17 points behind champions Chelsea, and another close-season of heavy investment appears likely as the Old Trafford club aim to become genuine title contenders once again.
An unchanged Hull started brightly and Dame N'Doye forced a routine second-minute save from Victor Valdes, making his first start in goal for United having replaced the injured David de Gea against Arsenal last weekend.
A swift response from United, who were without Radamel Falcao through injury, brought a shot by Wayne Rooney which grazed the crossbar from 20 yards, but Hull continued to look the more threatening early on had two goals ruled out in quick succession.
McShane was correctly adjudged offside as he poked the ball home from close range in the 18th minute after Valdes had spilled a free-kick.
Valdes then made a stunning save, diving to his left to keep out a firm header from Ahmed Elmohamady, before Hull were again denied by the assistant referee's flag when N'Doye turned home a goalbound shot from Stephen Quinn.
The remainder of the first half passed by with little incident, aside from the injury-enforced withdrawal of Angel Di Maria, before United's Ander Herrera passed up a chance to convert an Ashley Young cross in stoppage time.
Herrera and Hull's David Meyler wasted opportunities early in the second period and, as news of Newcastle opening the scoring against West Ham filtered through, the hosts were left facing an increasingly desperate situation.
After another effort from Herrera had drifted narrowly wide on the hour, Hull almost capitalised on a goalmouth scramble sparked by another error from Valdes, who missed the ball when attempting to clear a corner and instead made contact with Rooney's head.
To his credit, Valdes responded with a second superb stop in the 73rd minute, as he showed outstanding reactions at his near post to claw away a shot from Nikica Jelavic, but the knockout blow was delivered when Newcastle scored their second at St James' Park to end Hull's stay in the top flight.
Hull City manager Steve Bruce: "It is one of those awful experiences. This is a particularly low time. We are not in the big league.
"Too many times I have come out and said we have not done bad but we have not scored. That is 17 or 18 times we have not scored.
"I have to take the brunt of it. We have not been good enough. We believed at the start of the season we would have enough. It is not a time for excuses. You have to take your medicine and come back as strongly as you can.
"I am exhausted at the minute. My future is for others to decide. Cuts are inevitable. A lot of talking and soul-searching has to be done in the next few weeks. We are all sad at the minute. I am sure there are a few conversations to be had, which will be had in due course."
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "I have never seen fans of a team who are going to be relegated be so supportive until the end. Their fans and the players were very positive, which made it difficult for us to equal their aggression and their motivation.
"They were fighting for a rescue, but we were fighting for a dream, to finish the season the proper way. That proved to be difficult, as you have seen. But still, we have earned a clean sheet, also with another goalkeeper.
"At the end, this game was not so important anymore because Newcastle won, which meant everyone had done their sporting duties.
"When we analyse our season, we have played our best matches against the top six and our worst matches against the bottom six."

Saturday 23 May 2015

Hull City Vs Man Utd

Sun 24 May 2015, The KC Stadium
15:00
Kick-off
Referee: Lee Probert


#HULMUN


Match Preview

Steve Bruce accepts it is going to be a tall order for his Hull City side to engineer a final-day escape from the Barclays Premier League relegation zone when they take on Manchester United.
Hull welcome Louis van Gaal's side to the KC Stadium on Sunday knowing they will be relegated to the Championship with anything less than a win.
Even if Hull secure three points they will go down should Newcastle United beat West Ham United at St James' Park, although if John Carver's team fail to win a victory for Hull will be enough.
The situation is strikingly similar to that of six years ago when Hull survived after a 1-0 defeat by United as Newcastle slipped to a defeat by the same scoreline against Aston Villa.
Bruce has a dreadful record against his former club, having lost 17 and drawn four of the 21 matches in which he has faced them as a manager.
"It's always difficult [against United] but we know we're capable if we play to the best of our ability, as we've seen when we beat Liverpool a couple of weeks ago," Bruce said. "It's been a long, difficult season for us.
“I hope, a bit like when we got a result against Cardiff to get in the Premier League, it reminds me a lot of that, hopefully our moment is about to come. It's going to be a tall order but we know we've got a chance."
Asked about the prospect of relegating Newcastle, whom he supported growing up, Bruce said: "All I'm interested in is the club that employ me at the minute.
"We didn't expect to be in this position but we are. Let's hope we've got one final twist can go our way."
Hull have no new injury concerns to worry about, with midfielder Jake Livermore still suspended after failing a drugs test.
It remains to be seen whether David de Gea will feature for United after the goalkeeper picked up a hip injury against Arsenal. Jonny Evans is a doubt with a knock, but Wayne Rooney is fit to return from a leg injury.
United need a substantial swing in goal difference to steal third place from Arsenal, and defender Chris Smalling is keen to end the season on the right note.
"We don't have a great deal to play for but, as the manager has said before, we always play for that pride," Smalling told MUTV. "Hull obviously have to win the game and that will make for an entertaining match, where they won't be able to defend like a lot of teams do - they'll have to come out at us.
"I think that will make it a much more open game and a more enjoyable one for us."
Hull City (from): Harper, Jakupovic, McGregor, Bruce, Chester, Davies, Dawson, Dudgeon, Figueroa , Lenihan, McShane, Robertson, Rosenior, Brady, Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Livermore, Meyler, Quinn, Aluko, Hernandez, Jelavic, N'Doye, Sagbo.
Manchester United (from): De Gea, Valdes, Lindegaard, Blackett, Evans, Jones, McNair, Rojo, Shaw, Smalling, Blind, Di Maria, Fellaini, Herrera, Januzaj, Mata, Pereira, Powell, Valencia, Young, Falcao, Rooney, Van Persie, Wilson.
Match Appointments
Referee:
 Lee Probert Assistants: H Lennard, D Cann Fourth Official: A Marriner
Match Facts
Hull City have lost all seven previous Barclays Premier League encounters with Manchester United, conceding 21 goals in the process.
Wayne Rooney has scored seven and assisted three more in five league appearances against Hull.
Man Utd have drawn on the final day of the season for the last two campaigns (1-1 at Southampton in 2014, 5-5 at WBA in 2013).
Steve Bruce has won none of his 20 matches as a BPL manager against his former club United (D4 L16)

Wednesday 20 May 2015

MUFC Awards

De Gea is Sir Matt Busby Player of the YearYear



Manchester United fans around the world have voted David De Gea their Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for the second season in a row, after a memorable 2014/15 campaign for the Spaniard.
De Gea made history last season when he became the first-ever goalkeeper to win the club's prestigious award and his performances this term have led to him becoming the first player to retain his trophy since Cristiano Ronaldo did the double in 06/07 and 07/08.
The 24-year-old gleaned the most combined votes of any player on ManUtd.com's seven foreign language websites to win the accolade and also scoop his second prize of the night after he was named the Players' Player of the Year by this team-mates.
Louis van Gaal presented him with his accolade, along with United fan Stephen Cross who had bid for the chance in the charity auction earlier, and the Reds boss spoke directly to his goalkeeper, saying: "I’m very proud of you. You have developed yourself more than any other player at Manchester United. I agree with the voice of the fans. Congratulations you deserve it."
De Gea spoke of his delight at collecting the award for a second successive campaign, adding: "Like the boss said before we have the best fans in the world and I want to say thank you to everyone. They are always behind us and travel everywhere - it’s fantastic for us.

"I am young and I try to improve in every training session and every game. Everyone always wants to improve and I think I have improved a lot."


Mata's volley at Liverpool is Goal of the Season



Season It doesn’t get much better than a volleyed winner at Anfield, so it is perhaps no surprise that Juan Mata has won Manchester United’s Goal of the Season award for his second strike in the 2-1 win over Liverpool in March.
The goal was originally on a shortlist of 10 that was whittled down to the four leading contenders that had earned the most votes on ManUtd.com’s seven official websites. 
This second shortlist also included Angel Di Maria’s lofted finish at Leicester City, Ander Herrera’s long-range effort in the FA Cup third round tie against Yeovil Town and Wayne Rooney's acrobatic half-volley at home to Aston Villa.
Fans were encouraged to vote in the fresh poll on the club’s official Twitter account,@ManUtd, which opened on Monday and was open throughout Tuesday evening until just before the winner was announced at the club’s annual awards night at Old Trafford.
Mata earned 59 per cent of the votes on Twitter and beat off competition from Di Maria, whose strike at Leicester came second, Rooney and Herrera to claim his prize. And the Spaniard was delighted with the award.
"I am very happy," he said. "It was a very important moment in the game. It was a great pass from Angel [Di Maria], he saw my run and I just tried to take it first time - luckily it went in.

"As soon as you play against Liverpool at Anfield or Old Trafford you feel it's a different game. It's my best day since I came here. It was an important win and a very good moment.

"We want to keep improving," added MataMata









Pereira wins U21s Player of the Year award

Manchester United fans have voted Andreas Pereira the Under-21s Player of the Year for the 2014/15 season, capping an unforgettable campaign for the highly-rated Brazilian.
Pereira, 19, made his first-team debut under Louis van Gaal, signed a new long-term contract at club and most recently, helped the Reds win the Barclays Under-21 Premier League title. Andreas earned more online votes than team-mates Donald Love and Liam Grimshaw, who were also nominated for the award by their coach Warren Joyce.















Tuanzebe is United's Young Player of the Year

Axel Tuanzebe has been named Manchester United's Under-18s Player of the Year for 2014/15 by the coaching staff after an excellent campaign.
The 17-year-old captained Paul McGuinness' side as the Reds reached the play-off stage in the Academy League and earned praise with his powerful and athletic displays at centre-back. In total he made 29 appearances for the Under-18s and also gained a taste of the next level up, the Under-21s, with three outings as a substitute.

Sunday 17 May 2015

Man Utd vs Arsenal Result and Stats

Sun 17 May 2015, Old Trafford
1 - 1
FT
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 75,323
#MUNARS









Match Report

Arsenal edged towards securing the final automatic qualifying spot for the UEFA Champions League with a 1-1 draw at Manchester United.
Ander Herrera's eighth goal of the season looked set to prove decisive as Louis van Gaal's men made Arsenal pay for a poor first-half display. The visitors improved significantly after the break and, after injury had forced United goalkeeper David de Gea from the field, Arsenal pulled level with eight minutes to play as Theo Walcott's strike took a deflection off fellow substitute Tyler Blackett.
The result means Arsenal remain two points above fourth-placed United in the Barclays Premier League and can avoid a UEFA Champions League play-off tie by beating Sunderland in their midweek match in hand.
Marcos Rojo and Radamel Falcao replaced the injured duo of Luke Shaw and Wayne Rooney for United, with Chris Smalling taking the captain's armband in the latter's absence.
An unchanged Arsenal failed to make much of an impression during a quiet start to the match, Falcao enjoying the only opening of note when a fine challenge from Laurent Koscielny denied him on the end of Juan Mata's pass.
Mata struck a free-kick from the edge of the area into David Ospina's arms before a mix-up between De Gea and Phil Jones almost presented Olivier Giroud with a chance to open the scoring.
The first goal fell United's way shortly afterwards in the 30th minute. Ashley Young sent in a searching cross from the left and Arsenal's defenders were drawn towards Marouane Fellaini, leaving Herrera with room to slam home a volley at the back post.
Smalling inadvertently blocked a drive from team-mate Daley Blind as Arsenal limped towards half-time.
Alexis Sanchez had been largely starved of service by the time he sliced wildly over from Giroud's flick on.
United continued to control the early second-half play, with Mata to the fore. The Spaniard was unable to create a goal for Falcao, who made way for Robin van Persie after the hour.
De Gea saved with his feet from Giroud before with 20 minutes remaining, Aaron Ramsey was able to lift the ball over the United goalkeeper, but Rojo made a vital clearance.
A back injury ended De Gea's afternoon early, heralding a United debut for Victor Valdes. The former Barcelona goalkeeper was beaten when Walcott collected a raking pass from Ramsey and his effort across goal spun in off Blackett.
Giroud rippled the side netting as Arsenal pressed for the win with urgency , although Van Persie almost caught them out when he lashed over in the 88th minute.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "I think the difference between Chelsea and Manchester United at this moment is they can finish a game, they can kill a game. When you are 1-0 ahead with fantastic football - they [Arsenal] did not cross the [halfway] line in the first half, I think. You create a lot of chances, you score a fantastic goal - then you have to finish a game.
"Chelsea can finish a game, can kill that game and that's the difference. I don't think Arsenal can do it because they lost 1-0 [to Swansea City] last week and I don't think Manchester City can do it. That's the difference in the top four and that's the mentality that we have to remove.
"I can say we're unlucky because it's the third goal in a row [against United] that is deflected. Is it unlucky? No because you have to force the luck."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "I am pleased with the performance and my only regret is that we didn't take the three points in the second half. We were a bit slow to start; Manchester United were sharp at the beginning. We were a bit stretched as well, width and length-wise. Second half we were more compact and we took over. We showed a great response and got a deserved point.
"We were a bit too timid, too conservative in our possession, and a bit too far from each other as well. In the second half we were more compact and on the counter attack we were quicker. We won more duels as well and we had enough chances to win the game in the end."

Friday 15 May 2015

Man Utd Vs Arsenal

Sun 17 May 2015, Old Trafford
16:00
Kick-off
Referee: Mike Dean


#MUNARS




Match Preview

Arsene Wenger has stressed the importance of avoiding a UEFA Champions League play-off spot as Arsenal visit Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.
Arsenal travel to Old Trafford knowing that a first away league win at United since 2006 will secure them a top-three finish ahead of Louis van Gaal's side, taking heart from a 2-1 win there in the FA Cup in March. Arsenal have contested a play-off in seven of their last nine UEFA Champions League campaigns and edged through 1-0 on aggregate against Besiktas at the start of this season. But victory over United would seal direct qualification for the group stages, which would please Wenger.
"It's very important for your season preparations to not have that kind of stress [about the qualifier] over your head from the first day you start again - it's vital,” Wenger said. "The consequences are always dramatic if you don't qualify.
"What is even more important now is that the international competitions force you most of the time to start the new season without your players.
"You cannot give them a long enough rest when they have played international games. You know that in England we have no break in the winter. That's sometimes difficult to deal with."
Arsenal are two points clear and have a match in hand on United, who overcame Crystal Palace 2-1 last weekend. Only a huge swing in goal difference can mean United miss out on the top four with their six-point advantage over Liverpool with two matches left.
Such a scenario means an objective achieved for Van Gaal.
"I and the board said the goal was to get in the first four positions and we have reached that two games before the end of the season, it's not bad I think,” the United manager said. "But it's also dependable on how we can make a balance in our selection.
“It's not good that I have had to change positions of players because players are injured."
United have more fitness concerns ahead of the match, with captain Wayne Rooney failing to recover from a dead leg sustained against Palace, while Luke Shaw is also ruled out.
Robin van Persie is fit to feature, recovering from a virus to face his former club, while Angel di Maria and Marcos Rojo have both been passed fit.
Arsenal are still without former United striker Danny Welbeck (knee), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mathieu Debuchy (both hamstring), but Aaron Ramsey (knock) should play.
Manchester United (from): De Gea, Valdes, Lindegaard, Blackett, Evans, Jones, McNair, Rojo, Shaw, Smalling, Blind, Di Maria, Fellaini, Herrera, Januzaj, Mata, Pereira, Powell, Valencia, Young, Falcao, Van Persie, Wilson.
Arsenal (from): Ospina, Szczesny, Bellerin, Chambers,Gabriel, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Arteta, Cazorla, Coquelin, Diaby, Flamini, Gnabry, Ozil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Wilshere, Giroud, Sanchez, Walcott.
Match Appointments
Referee: 
Mike Dean Assistants: L Betts, S Long Fourth Official: M Oliver
Match Facts
Manchester United are unbeaten in seven home Barclays Premier League meetings with Arsenal (W6 D1), since a 1-0 defeat in September 2006.
Having beaten Man Utd in the FA Cup, Arsenal could become the fourth team in history to win twice at Old Trafford in the same season. The others were Chelsea (2004/05), Spurs (1989/90) and Aston Villa (1919/20).
Wayne Rooney has scored six and assisted three in his last seven matches across all competitions against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Arsenal have won their last five league away matches; their longest winning run since September 2013 (eight wins, their joint-best in the BPL era).

Under 21 champs

Champions! Title joy for United Under-21s

Manchester United became the champions of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League on Friday night - without kicking a ball.
The outcome was confirmed by a surprise home defeat for rivals Chelsea, the only team in the table who could still catch Warren Joyce's United side. The Blues were beaten 1-0 by bottom side West Ham United in dramatic fashion, with Josh Cullen scoring in the 90th minute at Stamford Bridge.
The Reds had edged closer to the title earlier in the week, with an emphatic 4-0 derby win over Manchester City courtesy of goals from Adnan Januzaj, James Wilson, Ashley Fletcher and Matty Willock. But as impressive as that victory was on Tuesday night, few observers in the 16,000-plus crowd at Old Trafford would have expected the league to have been wrapped up so soon after it.
Chelsea were fancied to bounce back on home turf after losing 1-0 at Sunderland on Monday but it wasn't to be. Their second defeat in five days means United's Under-21 players and their coach can now rejoice with one game - away to City - still to be arranged and played. 
Speaking to ManUtd.com earlier on Friday, Joyce said: "I know how much work we’ve put in over the season and regardless of the outcome now, we’ve had a fantastic campaign.
"There have been a lot of pluses and a lot of successes. We started the season off well by beating City in the final of the Manchester Senior Cup. That was a really good game and an experience in itself. 

Wednesday 13 May 2015

Valdes 5-a-side

Valdes: My 5-a-side team

Victor Valdes
Ander Herrera
Juan Mata
Andreas Pereira
Wayne Rooney
"I feel a special love for Juan Mata and Ander Herrera. And also Andreas Pereira. One more? Wayne Rooney – it's a good team!"

Valdes reveals what United training is like and picks his 5-a-side team

Our Spanish keeper Victor Valdes gives an insight into training – including the best goal he's seen and who would make his United 5-a-side team...
What is your favourite part of training?Finishing with the players. Yes, I’m in goal – I only go outfield for the possession games.
Is there anything specific you're working on in training?
Always two days a week, I work on another part of our training in the gym.
Who scored the best goal you have ever seen in training?
Maybe one of Lionel Messi’s or Ronaldinho’s. I don’t know but it would be one of many from them.
How do the facilities compare at the Aon Training Complex to Barcelona’s and the Spanish national team?
Very easily. I like it here and it’s a really good sporting centre for training.
Who at the Aon Training Complex helps make your day?
It is very friendly here. All the staff always help you and also help your family too, so it is a very nice atmosphere.
Do you use sports science or analyse data and statistics to scrutinise your performances in training?
We do things like that, yes, we often watch videos and see the best way to beat the opponents. I think this is the most important thing during the week.
If you had to pick your 5-a-side team, who would make your team?
Ah, I feel a special love for Juan Mata and Ander Herrera. And also Andreas Pereira. One more? Wayne Rooney – it is a good team I think!
The Spanish-speakers all seem close – what are they like off the pitch?
It’s a friendly group and an easy group for enabling you to adapt when you are here and your English is maybe not so good! So it’s great to be next to Mata and Herrera in the changing room.