It’s down to a last gasp effort for Hull City. The Tigers are still mired in the relegation zone in the last week of the season, but they’re not completely without hope. Newcastle are close enough to the relegation zone that if Hull win and the Magpies lose or draw against West Ham -- Hull currently hold a seven-goal edge in goal differential -- the Tigers will stay in the Premier League while Newcastle drops to the Championship.
Hull City vs. Manchester United 2015: Time, TV schedule and live stream
Hull City desperately need a win to have a chance at avoiding the drop to the Championship -- but they have to play Manchester United to get that win.
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Of course, they have to beat Manchester United for any of that to matter. Admittedly, United don’t have a lot to play for at the moment -- they’re locked in to fourth place, as even if they win and Arsenal lose, Arsenal would hold on to third place through superior goal differential. Especially since this match is on the road, it’s not unimaginable that we could see Manchester just take it easy and coast their way through the match. But Manchester aren’t really a “take it easy” side, and Louis Van Gaal certainly isn’t a “take it easy” coach, so it’s far more likely that they’ll be looking to put an exclamation point on the season with a big win, dooming Hull to the Championship in the process.
Key player - Nikica Jelavic (Hull City)
In a win-or-else match, a team’s top goalscorer is always a good figure to look at. Jelavic’s season goalscoring total isn’t amazingly impressive at eight goals, but that’s still enough to lead a side that’s only scored 33 on the season. He hasn’t scored since returning from a six-week injury spell earlier this month -- that spell shockingly coinciding strongly with Hull’s tumble down the table -- so Hull need him to get hot here at the finish if they’re going to stay up. He’s got a decent goalscoring tally against Manchester United, two in four games, so Hull will be hoping he adds a couple more to that line.
Key Matchup - Ahmed Elmohamady (Hull City) vs. Ashley Young (Manchester United)
Young has very quietly been one of Manchester United’s best players this season, especially over the last five months. His energy and varied skillset out on the left has given Louis Van Gaal some excellent tactical options to play with. For the most part, he’s just been able to stick Young out there, tell him what needs doing in this match, and Young does it with aplomb. Keeping him at bay will be Elmohamady’s job, and the big Egyptian wide man will have a tough task to pull it off. He’s often struggled with trickier players this season, and if Young gets the better of him today -- well, if that happens Hull won’t be playing United in the league next season.
Hull City injuries and suspensions
Out: Jake Livermore (suspended), Curtis Davies (thigh), Mohamed Diame (knee), Gaston Ramirez (hamstring), Robert Snodgrass (knee) In doubt: none
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Michael Carrick (calf), Rafael (ribs), Luke Shaw (concussion) In doubt: Wayne Rooney (hip), Jonny Evans (knock), David De Gea (hamstring)
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: Kingston Communications Stadium, Hull, England
TV: NBC (U.S. - English), Telemundo (U.S. - Spanish), TSN4, RDS 2 (Canada), Sky Sports 3/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.)
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