Hull City Vs Man Utd

Sun 24 May 2015, The KC Stadium

Hull

15:00
Kick-off

Man Utd

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)