Premier League: Hull City vs. Manchester United - Sun May 24 [R]

[pgr17]

http://sports.merinews.com/upload/thumbimage/1222619721001_hull%20city_t.png vs. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d1/Manchester_United_Badge_1973-1998.png

Venue: KC Stadium
Kick-off: 1600 BST; 11:00AM EST
Date: Sunday May 24
Coverage: FSC; Sky Sports 3; streams/P2P; BBC Radio 5 Live
___________________________________________________________

Hull City, who are currently a point clear of 18th-placed Newcastle inside the drop zone, face United at the KC Stadium four days before the newly-crowned domestic title-holders defend their Champions League crown against Barcelona in Rome.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already indicated he will use the depth of his squad with nothing but pride at stake for his club.

Middlesbrough, who face West Ham United at Upton Park, need the Tigers to lose if they are to have a chance of staying up, while the Magpies have to record a better result than Phil Brown's men if they are to survive.

Sunderland could go down if they lose to Chelsea and both Newcastle and Hull win, meaning all three of the north-east clubs have a vested interest in the side Ferguson sends out.

United's 65th game of the season; last regular season Premier League match

[Father Ted]

A lot of talk going on about if Fergie sends out a weakened team and whether it's fair to the other teams fighting relegation. Fergie can do whatever he wants. Plus noone ever complains about this during the season when the likes of Liverpool puts out a weakened team to rest the likes of Gerrard on a weekend if there is an upcoming CL game. There is really no difference.

[Amdrag]

Never wanted to lose a match before, but with the temptation of sending Newcastle down I have to say it is getting hard.

[johno]

you should see a doctor about that, especially if it lasts more than 4 hours.

[pourfood]

Although I see your point of enjoying the Toons (Boro for me as well) get relegated, I'd like to see our team enjoy and crush Hull so that we can bring that momentum to Rome.

[pgr17]

our "weak" team can still beat Hull. it will actually be a really good match i feel. i'm excited to watch it.

[SyedZada]

our "weak" team can still beat Hull. it will actually be a really good match i feel. i'm excited to watch it.
I cant wait to watch our reserves, finally a reserve game not only on MU tv.

[jeff070]

For this game, I'd like to see the youngsters flourishing against a PL side. I do not want Hull to go down but I do want to win with the reserves. Some United players (reserves) are playing in the some cup today against real madrid and Possebon is in that squad, so I doubt he'll play on sunday unless he returns fit and ready to go. Fletcher will play as he is going to miss the Champions league final. Also Nani will be given the chance as he has not played much this season. Koozy will also get the chance as will rafael, fabio, gary neville, welbeck, macheda, gibson. So this is my lineup: I like the 4-3-3 that we played few years back and re-implemented later this season;

Koozy

Rafael
Rio
Evans
Fabio

Fletcher
Gibson
Possebon

welbeck
Macheda
Nani

Subs: Neville, De Laet, Amos, Ronaldo, Scholes, Tevez, Tosic.

I almost forget to put Tosic, damn, and Lee martin. they should also play a part as they have been doing really well for the reserve.
So after i remembered that I missed tosic, This is my lineup:

Rafael
rio
Evans
Fabio

Nani
Gibson
Fletcher
Tosic

Welbeck
Macheda

I like this !

[Brady24]

As far as beating Hull or letting Hull win to see Toon drop, i doubt it'll matter, i don't see Villa losing their last game @ Home this year...

And w/ Foster hurt...anyone think Amos would get the start?, just on an outside chance of a keeper injury?, just curious on others thoughts.

[Sapphire]

A lot of talk going on about if Fergie sends out a weakened team and whether it's fair to the other teams fighting relegation. Fergie can do whatever he wants. Plus noone ever complains about this during the season when the likes of Liverpool puts out a weakened team to rest the likes of Gerrard on a weekend if there is an upcoming CL game. There is really no difference.
No one complained when we were forced to send out a weakened team in the FA Cup semi-final. They can clamor to eliminate fixture congestion, instead of attacking us for resting and protecting our players in prioritized matches.

[pgr17]

i believe there were people that said we didn't take the FA Cup "seriously".

but those people are idiots.

[sdotsom]

I'm looking forward to seeing some of the kids, to be honest.

[Invincible]

Me too. Seriously, who gives a crap about the teams involved in relegation? It's their fault they're in that position, what gives them the right to be unhappy about what team we choose to field against Hull?

[FCShambles]

our "weak" team can still beat Hull. it will actually be a really good match i feel. i'm excited to watch it.

If Fergie plays the regulars (which he won't) then they will want to come out and crush Hull to build momentum for Rome. If he plays the reserves and let's the kids get some time, then they will want to prove themselves with their play. Either way, Hull are going to face an eager side wanting to crush them.

It will be interesting to see what all the punters say if we play our reserves and they crush Hull.

[sdotsom]

I mean, I understand their gripe - they (Boro/Barcodes) had to play against a full strength United team that was gunning for the title while Hull will get to play against our reserves. But that's the vagaries of the schedule. And United simply have bigger fish to fry than a league match against Hull City.

[FCDallas96]

Koozy
Rafael
rio
Evans
Fabio
Nani
Gibson
Fletcher
Tosic
Welbeck
Macheda

This is the line up I hope to see as well.

[jeff070]

would be great to see tosic!

[mmradio13]

This is the line up I hope to see as well.

I'd HAVE to start Gary Neville and give him the armband. I'd think the back 4 may look like this-

Rafael
Neville
Rio
Fabio

Neville
Rio
Evans
Fabio

Rafael
Chester
Neville
Fabio

No matter what, I think we have to have Fabio, Rafael, and Gary Neville starting. Then it is between Rio(isn't a hard practice good enough prep- plus it would take out any likelihood of being injured), Evans(what if we needed him in the final? wouldn't want to risk injury to a valuable sub), or Chester(would love to see him rewarded for his reserve team play.

I hope for
Rafael
Chester
Neville
Fabio

[benni...]

Here is what I want to see...


-----------------PIG---------------
-------Ferdinand---Evans-------
-Rafael----------------------Fabio
-----Gibson-Fletch-Scholes-----
-Nani----------------------Wellbeck
---------------Macheda--------------

Tevez, Ronaldo, Carrick, Neville, Tosic, reserve defender, Amos.

Then we can take off Scholes for Tosic and move to 4-4-2 with Wellbeck upfront.

[mmradio13]

Why start Scholes if he might be starting in the Champions League Final? I see a spot in the midfield being between him and Giggsy, I personally wouldn't play either of them. its not like they're exactly young.