On Sunday evening we bid farewell to this seasons Premier League as we enter the summer break and have to put up with non-stop daily monotonous and tireless transfer speculation of everyone from De Gea to Bale before we finally see some form of football for United via pre-season friendlies...so relish the match live on Sky Sports if you aren't one of those lucky reds with a ticket. Having already thrown away a glorious chance of finishing in the top three we now are guaranteed fourth (you having that Liverpool?) and fourth only yet this Sunday's match is a huge one for our opponents Hull City who are looking to retain their top flight place and continue benefiting from the golden cash cow that is the Premier League.
Hull, under the management of former red legend Steve Bruce, must win and hope West Ham Utd take the full three points away from the Geordies at St James Park, or whatever Mike Ashley calls the stadium this week. Considering Big Sam's team has only won three away this season it doesn't bare well for Brucie, he has had spells at Birmingham, Wigan and Sunderland and Bruce has just registered four draws and 14 losses. Neither does the stats that Hull have lost three from their last four either. Baring in mind also that we have won only six of eighteen away matches it is still one more victory than Hull have managed at home all season in the league, while also scoring more and conceding less on our travels...yes that shows what a task Steve Bruce's men face. Hull will also be looking to rack up their first Premier League victory, let alone their first point, against United this Sunday and haven't won against us at home since 1974, though that was only five home meetings previously. United have won three of our last five away from Old Trafford but as our season is already practically over we could see a few rare faces either on the bench or in the starting line up. Thorpe anyone?
Last week Van Gaal hinted that Shaw and Rooney would miss the season's finale, keeping Carrick company in the stands along with possibly De Gea if he isn't declared fit, this would hand Valdes his first United start in goal. Whether Falcao starts is a question only Van Gaal can answer but considering he hasn't done enough to warrant being retained for next season then I personally would like to see Wilson start ahead of both Falcao and RvP...but hey, I am a dreamer. Smalling will be favourite to wear the captains armband again with Jones, Rojo and the over-used Valencia making up the back four. Blind will look to sit in the holding midfield role again with the in form Young, Mata, Fellani and Herrera making up the midfield. There was mention of Young not being fully fit for England after talks between United and England so could that rule Young out?
Personally I would like to see Di Maria used in his favoured role and a few fringe players allowed a shot at impressing, why Thorpe has never been allowed a real chance is beyond me but maybe the versatile McNair should be allowed that chance at Right Back, especially considering Van Gaal said he could be the clubs future in that slot. One thing United fans can never be accused of is being hostile when the youth are offered a chance and this match is the perfect chance for that before the likes of Januzaj and Wilson are sent out on loan next season. The last gasp hope that De Gea was holding out on signing a new contract until we secured Champions League football is dead in the water so maybe it is time we scour the rust from Valdes and allow him a shot at the Number 1 jersey before De Gea finally seals his ''dream move'' to Real Madrid.
For Hull, well Jake Livermore is obviously out. He didn't just walk a fine line but tried to sniff it as well...
Hull, under the management of former red legend Steve Bruce, must win and hope West Ham Utd take the full three points away from the Geordies at St James Park, or whatever Mike Ashley calls the stadium this week. Considering Big Sam's team has only won three away this season it doesn't bare well for Brucie, he has had spells at Birmingham, Wigan and Sunderland and Bruce has just registered four draws and 14 losses. Neither does the stats that Hull have lost three from their last four either. Baring in mind also that we have won only six of eighteen away matches it is still one more victory than Hull have managed at home all season in the league, while also scoring more and conceding less on our travels...yes that shows what a task Steve Bruce's men face. Hull will also be looking to rack up their first Premier League victory, let alone their first point, against United this Sunday and haven't won against us at home since 1974, though that was only five home meetings previously. United have won three of our last five away from Old Trafford but as our season is already practically over we could see a few rare faces either on the bench or in the starting line up. Thorpe anyone?
Last week Van Gaal hinted that Shaw and Rooney would miss the season's finale, keeping Carrick company in the stands along with possibly De Gea if he isn't declared fit, this would hand Valdes his first United start in goal. Whether Falcao starts is a question only Van Gaal can answer but considering he hasn't done enough to warrant being retained for next season then I personally would like to see Wilson start ahead of both Falcao and RvP...but hey, I am a dreamer. Smalling will be favourite to wear the captains armband again with Jones, Rojo and the over-used Valencia making up the back four. Blind will look to sit in the holding midfield role again with the in form Young, Mata, Fellani and Herrera making up the midfield. There was mention of Young not being fully fit for England after talks between United and England so could that rule Young out?
Personally I would like to see Di Maria used in his favoured role and a few fringe players allowed a shot at impressing, why Thorpe has never been allowed a real chance is beyond me but maybe the versatile McNair should be allowed that chance at Right Back, especially considering Van Gaal said he could be the clubs future in that slot. One thing United fans can never be accused of is being hostile when the youth are offered a chance and this match is the perfect chance for that before the likes of Januzaj and Wilson are sent out on loan next season. The last gasp hope that De Gea was holding out on signing a new contract until we secured Champions League football is dead in the water so maybe it is time we scour the rust from Valdes and allow him a shot at the Number 1 jersey before De Gea finally seals his ''dream move'' to Real Madrid.
For Hull, well Jake Livermore is obviously out. He didn't just walk a fine line but tried to sniff it as well...