Manchester United got back in the win column on Wednesday thanks two a two-goal debut from 18-year-old James Wilson. The youngster's brace was enough to get the Red Devils past Hull City in a match that keeps United in the Europa League chase. It also featured the interim manager of United substituting himself into the match.
Manchester United vs. Hull City: Final score 3-1, James Wilson’s brace fires United past the Tigers
The 18-year-old Manchester United striker scored twice in his EPL debut, helping lead the Red Devils to win over Hull City.
Alex Livesey
United got off to a fast start, nearly scoring a goal and having what looked like a legitimate penalty shout denied. In the 3rd minute, Marouane Fellaini headed down a cross at the far post right to 18-year-old James Wilson, making his first career EPL start. The United youngster missed a golden chance, whiffing on his shot, allowing the ball to be blocked away by a sliding defender.
A minute later, Adnan Januzaj was brought down by Maynor Figueroa as he tried to cut along the end line, but the referee wasn't interested, instead awarding a corner kick.
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Phil Jones left the match in the 18th minute with a shoulder injury that required a trip to the hospital. The defender was replaced by Nemanja Vidić, in what will be his final match at Old Trafford in a United jersey. The 32-year-old has signed a new contract with Internazionale that begins this summer.
Wilson got another chance in the 31st minute to open his United account, and he didn’t waste the opportunity the second time around. Again it was Fellaini involved as the big midfielder headed down a free kick into the box, and Wilson charged it down, hammering it past Eldin Jakupovic on the volley to give United a 1-0 lead.
The James Wilson Experience rolled on in the second half as the debutant scored his second goal of the match in the 61st minute. Fellaini was in the middle of thing yet again -- proving that David Moyes had been using him wrong all season? -- as his short range shot was blocked by Jakupovic, but the Hull keeper made the mistake of leaving a big reound that was pounced on by Wilson. The striker beat a defender to the ball and put it into the empty net, giving United a 2-0 lead.
Hull responded quickly though, pulling a goal back just two minutes later when Matty Fryatt dribble through the midfield, fighting off a couple challenges before firing a low shot from distance past David de Gea, making it 2-1.
Wilson's chances for a debut hat trick ended in the 64th minute when he was replaced by Robin Van Persie. The substation fun didn't end their though, as in the 70th minute, interim head coach Ryan Giggs subbed himself into the match.
Robin Van Persie secured the victory for United in the 86th minute, beating Jakupovic from the edge of the 18-yard-box. Van Persie’s initial shot was blocked, but the ball went right back to the striker who fired it in on the second attempt. Ryan Giggs had the assist on the play, because of course.
Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Jones (Vidić 22’), Smalling, Buttner, Carrick, Fellaini, Kagawa, Januzaj, Lawrence (Giggs 70’), Wilson (Van Persie 64’)
Goals: Wilson (31’, 61’), Van Persie (86’)
Hull City: Jakupovic, Rosenior (Sagbo 45’), Figueroa, Bruce, Davies, Meyler, Koren, Boyd, Quinn, Elmohamady (Livermore 82’), Long (Fryatt 45’)
Goals: Fryatt (63’)
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