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| Hull City v Manchester United: Premier League – live! | Hull City v Manchester United: Premier League – live! |
| (38 minutes later) | |
| 3.19pm BST15:19 | |
| 19 min: Arsenal are beating West Brom 2-0, so United can pretty much say goodbye to third place. Although that was always an outside chance anyway. Another free-kick for Hull, on the right of the area. It’s swung in, Valdes fumbles and McShane pokes home. But he was offside - it won’t count. Valdes makes up for it moments later though Elmohamady powers a header and the keeper saves low to his left. What a save. | |
| 3.16pm BST15:16 | |
| 16 min: Quinn plays another ball into the box - a quick, zipped pass but Smalling’s outstretched foot intercepts before Hull can take advantage. Resident surgeon JR emails in with the inviting subject line ‘Double Sack Knack’: “For a minute there I thought we had the extremely rare double sack knack but while Elmohamady held up his end of the bargain I believe Di Maria actually took the hit to a region just a bit higher up.” | |
| 3.13pm BST15:13 | |
| 13 min: Steve Bruce, by the way, has never beaten United as a manager. | |
| Updated at 3.15pm BST | |
| 3.11pm BST15:11 | |
| 11 min: Di Maria is OK to continue too. As is Elmohamady, who had looked to be struggling. Anyway, Hull have a free-kick around 40-yards out in the middle of the field. Huddlestone hovers around looking like he’s considering a shot. But he slips it to the side to Quinn, whose ball in to the box is cleared for a corner. Hull have looked good on set pieces so far. | |
| 3.08pm BST15:08 | |
| 8 min: And we have a corner for Hull. Jelvic prowls about the area - Hull look so much more dangerous when he’s in the side. McShane nearly gets his head to the corner but United clear. Di Maria is down after getting a knee to the solar plexus. Or possibly somewhere lower down and more painful. | |
| 3.06pm BST15:06 | |
| 6 min: Yep, United look like they’re not in any mood to do their former captain, Steve Bruce, any favours. They’re pinging the ball about with a fair amount of joy as they contemplate their holidays. And most of the pinging is being done about the Hull box. Di Maria overhits a cross that Harper gathers. | |
| 3.04pm BST15:04 | |
| 3 min: Of course, if you attack from the opening stages you also leave yourself open at the back. United sweep up the pitch and Rooney receives the ball just outside the box, he gets his head over the ball and drives his shot at goal - it clips the bar. | |
| 3.02pm BST15:02 | |
| 1 min: And we’re off. The skies are blue-ish over Hull and the atmosphere peppy. Hull - as you would expect - are looking to start quickly. And N’Doye has a header, which Valdes smothers. | |
| 2.55pm BST14:55 | |
| Right, here in New York they’re still showing the F1 - so there’s a small chance we may have commentary of some dudes spraying champagne about while Jelavic thrashes in his eighth goal. | |
| And, yep, this is being done in New York so we’re five hours behind Manchester. Still, we’re right up to the minute with the current Premier League news and can’t wait to see Sir Alex Ferguson oversee Bobby Charlton captain Dion Dublin and Co this afternoon. | |
| Updated at 3.09pm BST | |
| 2.41pm BST14:41 | 2.41pm BST14:41 |
| And a word from the fans. The Observer asked you, the fan, about your team’s season. And you had this to say. You, personally. | And a word from the fans. The Observer asked you, the fan, about your team’s season. And you had this to say. You, personally. |
| Manchester United – Shaun O’Donnell | Manchester United – Shaun O’Donnell |
| 7/10 The early part of the season was all about injuries and LVG’s persistence with three at the back when the likes of Jones and Smalling were technically incapable of playing in such a system. We were winning games but lacked conviction. In March it seemed to click in to place with six league wins on the bounce, but in usual United style we then lost the next three, with Carrick injured and Rooney dropping back into midfield. The signs are good for next season, though. I’ve bought into LVG and I can see what he is trying to achieve. I did expect him to be more of a presence in the technical area, though, barking orders when we’re chasing a late goal. Instead we have Giggs with his hands in his tracksuit pockets and his head cocked to one side. | 7/10 The early part of the season was all about injuries and LVG’s persistence with three at the back when the likes of Jones and Smalling were technically incapable of playing in such a system. We were winning games but lacked conviction. In March it seemed to click in to place with six league wins on the bounce, but in usual United style we then lost the next three, with Carrick injured and Rooney dropping back into midfield. The signs are good for next season, though. I’ve bought into LVG and I can see what he is trying to achieve. I did expect him to be more of a presence in the technical area, though, barking orders when we’re chasing a late goal. Instead we have Giggs with his hands in his tracksuit pockets and his head cocked to one side. |
| The stars Ashley Young has been a revelation, forming an excellent relationship with Daley Blind on the left. De Gea has been outstanding again and his gloves will prove hard to fill. The flops It just didn’t happen for Falcao – and Di María has been woeful, too. | The stars Ashley Young has been a revelation, forming an excellent relationship with Daley Blind on the left. De Gea has been outstanding again and his gloves will prove hard to fill. The flops It just didn’t happen for Falcao – and Di María has been woeful, too. |
| Summer targets With Depay already signed, the window looks promising. I’d expect a ball-playing centre-half such as Hummels, a box-to-box midfielder and enforcer such as Vidal, and a pacy striker. I’d go for Thomas Müller. | Summer targets With Depay already signed, the window looks promising. I’d expect a ball-playing centre-half such as Hummels, a box-to-box midfielder and enforcer such as Vidal, and a pacy striker. I’d go for Thomas Müller. |
| Best and worst away fans Swansea always give it their all, but there was hardly a squeak from City. | Best and worst away fans Swansea always give it their all, but there was hardly a squeak from City. |
| Hull –Rick Skelton – @HullCityLive | Hull –Rick Skelton – @HullCityLive |
| 4/10 It’s been a major let-down on the pitch given the investment in the squad last summer, while the ongoing “Hull Tigers” nonsense continued to cause division off it. The disappointment started early with the needless exit from the Europa League and, though there have been moments of quality, consistent inconsistency has ruled. Steve Bruce bought players who didn’t meet the standards of professionalism he’d established in the squad and has failed to get the best out of players who are capable of much, much more. We’ve also been riddled with injuries – too many to just be pure luck. | 4/10 It’s been a major let-down on the pitch given the investment in the squad last summer, while the ongoing “Hull Tigers” nonsense continued to cause division off it. The disappointment started early with the needless exit from the Europa League and, though there have been moments of quality, consistent inconsistency has ruled. Steve Bruce bought players who didn’t meet the standards of professionalism he’d established in the squad and has failed to get the best out of players who are capable of much, much more. We’ve also been riddled with injuries – too many to just be pure luck. |
| The stars Nikica Jelavic makes a big difference. Whenever he’s injured, which is too often, we’re unrecognisable. Michael Dawson improved after a tough start and, in a season where big names have let us down, Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn and David Meyler never have. The flops £10m Abel Hernández and Tom Huddlestone, who has been garbage for 18 months. | The stars Nikica Jelavic makes a big difference. Whenever he’s injured, which is too often, we’re unrecognisable. Michael Dawson improved after a tough start and, in a season where big names have let us down, Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn and David Meyler never have. The flops £10m Abel Hernández and Tom Huddlestone, who has been garbage for 18 months. |
| Summer targets We need quality in midfield and we’re crying out for pace on the break. | Summer targets We need quality in midfield and we’re crying out for pace on the break. |
| Best and worst away fans Lokeren fans were incredible in the Europa League, while Man City were the very definition of “You only sing when you’re winning”. | Best and worst away fans Lokeren fans were incredible in the Europa League, while Man City were the very definition of “You only sing when you’re winning”. |
| 2.33pm BST14:33 | 2.33pm BST14:33 |
| Just before Hull fans give up hope. West Ham have been in their position before - and succeeded. In the 2006-07 season West Ham played Man Utd in the final game of the season needing to win and, um, won. Man Utd were champions then too. And it was at Old Trafford. | Just before Hull fans give up hope. West Ham have been in their position before - and succeeded. In the 2006-07 season West Ham played Man Utd in the final game of the season needing to win and, um, won. Man Utd were champions then too. And it was at Old Trafford. |
| Although West Ham had Carlos Tevez. And had won five of their last seven games. And United were pretty much on holiday. Oh, AND West Ham had Jonathan Spector. | Although West Ham had Carlos Tevez. And had won five of their last seven games. And United were pretty much on holiday. Oh, AND West Ham had Jonathan Spector. |
| 2.22pm BST14:22 | 2.22pm BST14:22 |
| What Hull need today: Throw away your calculator watches, it’s simple. Hull need to beat United today and hope Newcastle lose or draw against West Ham. United also have something to play for - they can move up to third in the table (and away from a Champions League playoff) if they beat Hull and Arsenal (who are seven better off in goal difference) lose to West Brom. | What Hull need today: Throw away your calculator watches, it’s simple. Hull need to beat United today and hope Newcastle lose or draw against West Ham. United also have something to play for - they can move up to third in the table (and away from a Champions League playoff) if they beat Hull and Arsenal (who are seven better off in goal difference) lose to West Brom. |
| 2.15pm BST14:15 | 2.15pm BST14:15 |
| And your teams for today are: | And your teams for today are: |
| Hull: Harper, Chester, Dawson, McShane, Elmohamady, Meyler, Huddlestone, Quinn, Brady, N’Doye, Jelavic. Subs: McGregor, Rosenior, Bruce, Hernandez, Sagbo, Aluko, Robertson. | Hull: Harper, Chester, Dawson, McShane, Elmohamady, Meyler, Huddlestone, Quinn, Brady, N’Doye, Jelavic. Subs: McGregor, Rosenior, Bruce, Hernandez, Sagbo, Aluko, Robertson. |
| Man Utd: Valdes, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Rojo, Blind, Mata, Ander Herrera, Di Maria, Young, Rooney. Subs: Januzaj, Lindegaard, van Persie, Fellaini, McNair, Blackett, Wilson. | Man Utd: Valdes, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Rojo, Blind, Mata, Ander Herrera, Di Maria, Young, Rooney. Subs: Januzaj, Lindegaard, van Persie, Fellaini, McNair, Blackett, Wilson. |
| Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire) | Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire) |
| 2.00pm BST14:00 | 2.00pm BST14:00 |
| Hi. Tom will be here soon enough. While you wait, here is Amy Lawrence on how After joining ManchesterUnited with a superb record in Europe, Radamel Falcao has baffled his audience – struggling with injury and unable to make an impact – but in Colombia faith in his skills remains high | Hi. Tom will be here soon enough. While you wait, here is Amy Lawrence on how After joining ManchesterUnited with a superb record in Europe, Radamel Falcao has baffled his audience – struggling with injury and unable to make an impact – but in Colombia faith in his skills remains high |
| Just over a year ago Radamel Falcao walked into a room in Madrid to greet a cluster of schoolboys flown over from Colombia to meet their hero. One of them, a 12-year-old boy who had built his own museum dedicated to the player back at home in Bogotá, was so overcome to see his icon with his own eyes he fell to his knees and wept. Falcao picked him up, sat him down, patted his head, and held his hand while they spoke. | Just over a year ago Radamel Falcao walked into a room in Madrid to greet a cluster of schoolboys flown over from Colombia to meet their hero. One of them, a 12-year-old boy who had built his own museum dedicated to the player back at home in Bogotá, was so overcome to see his icon with his own eyes he fell to his knees and wept. Falcao picked him up, sat him down, patted his head, and held his hand while they spoke. |
| “Your leg will get better,” the boy insisted earnestly. “God will make it stronger. I am not just saying it so you’ll play in the World Cup but for you.” Hearing those words from the boy, Falcao was moved to tears himself. The boy touched each of Falcao’s knees. “I’m telling you, this leg and this leg will be strong.” | “Your leg will get better,” the boy insisted earnestly. “God will make it stronger. I am not just saying it so you’ll play in the World Cup but for you.” Hearing those words from the boy, Falcao was moved to tears himself. The boy touched each of Falcao’s knees. “I’m telling you, this leg and this leg will be strong.” |
| At the time, Falcao was in the middle of his rehabilitation from anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered while playing for Monaco. There were hopes his recovery might be accelerated enough to play at the World Cup in Brazil last summer. His footballing future still seemed full of possibility. | At the time, Falcao was in the middle of his rehabilitation from anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered while playing for Monaco. There were hopes his recovery might be accelerated enough to play at the World Cup in Brazil last summer. His footballing future still seemed full of possibility. |
| From that point to this, however, Falcao’s career has taken a significant hit. There was no way the doctors could put it gently that he would miss the opportunity of a World Cup on Latin American soil. Since regaining fitness, an underwhelming season at Old Trafford has gnawed away at the sense of what kind of player Falcao now is. El Tigre, so named for his predatory traits, has looked comparatively timid. | From that point to this, however, Falcao’s career has taken a significant hit. There was no way the doctors could put it gently that he would miss the opportunity of a World Cup on Latin American soil. Since regaining fitness, an underwhelming season at Old Trafford has gnawed away at the sense of what kind of player Falcao now is. El Tigre, so named for his predatory traits, has looked comparatively timid. |
| Continued here. | Continued here. |