Hull vs. Manchester United: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream & TV Info
Hull City have much more at stake than Manchester United as the two sides meet on the final day of the Premier League season.
Steve Bruce may have joked, per the Hull Daily Mail, that "Maybe Man U owe me something after wrecking my knee, my hip and my ankle," but Louis van Gaal has made it clear he intends to field a full-strength side.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Van Gaal said (h/t the Mirror):
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
"I have to put my strongest team because we have to give everything for all the other Premier League clubs, and especially of course Newcastle United.
We have taken six points off Newcastle United and we have to take six points off Hull City, I think.
I have said to the players in spite of him [Steve Bruce] being a Manchester United guy, we have to do what everybody is expecting from us.
"
Thus it is likely to be a tough test for the Tigers.
Date: Sunday, 24 May 2015
Time: 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. EDT
Venue: The KC Stadium, Hull
TV Info: Sky Sports 3 (UK Only)/NBC (US Only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK Only)/NBC Sports Live Extra (US only)
Form Lines
Hull City: WWLLL
Manchester United: LLLWD
Team News
Hull's official website confirms that there are "no fresh injury concerns" for their side ahead of this tie.
Van Gaal informed MUTV (h/t United's official site) that Wayne Rooney was fit and will play. David De Gea remains a doubt.
Predicted Lineups
It seems logical to assume that Bruce will stick with the XI that made life difficult for Tottenham Hotspur in their last run-out. From a United perspective, the big question is around the goalkeeper. It will be intriguing to see how Victor Valdes does, given all the speculation around De Gea's future.
Van Gaal said on Friday that he believes De Gea will stay, per BBC Sport, but even if he does, it makes sense to give Valdes a chance here if De Gea is an injury doubt.
The other key decision from a United perspective will be whether Angel Di Maria gets a run-out. However, it would be harsh for either Juan Mata or Ashley Young to miss out.
Players to Watch
Young will likely be important to United again, especially if the lineup goes as predicted above. It is a side that lacks for pace, and his energy is vital to United's counter-attacking capabilities. His assist for Ander Herrera's goal against Arsenal was superb, and he is enjoying a fine run of form.
As is Herrera himself. The midfielder has become ever-present in the latter part of the season, and deservedly so. He will be crucial to United next season, and it is worth keeping an eye on him in this game, as it has been for the past few months.
From a Hull perspective, goals have been in short supply—two in their past six games—so the performances of Dame N'Doye and Nikica Jelavic will be under scrutiny.
Key Battle
The key battle here could be how well Hull's three centre-backs marshal United's attacking players, Mata and Herrera in particular. If, in doing so, they leave space for Marouane Fellaini, they may come to regret it, as the big Belgian has been at his best when allowed room to manoeuvre this season.
Of course, Hull need to win here and see Newcastle lose or tie against West Ham to avoid relegation, so their forwards' battle with United's defence will also be crucial.
Odds
The odds for the game, at the time of writing, per Odds Shark are:
Hull City Win: +239
Draw: +275
Manchester United Win: +125
