Why Moyes’ “Functional” Manchester United could be in for a shock at Hull

Manchester United visit Hull City at the KC Stadium in what is a traditional Premier League glamour tie. You have the Boxing Day tradition of cold turkey and other cliches, and in the rest of the paragraphs in this preview you also have the tradition of cold, dead miserable hackery trudging through yet another game. When will it end? Does football end in 2013 or are we forced to endure yet more of it in 2014? Oh.

Due to Steve Bruce’s severe hand injuries, Hull City may field the same team for the fourth successive game as he is unable to write out another team sheet. Luckily for Hull, none of their players are injured so they won’t be held back by this. However, that Hull team doesn’t have many good players, so they will equally be held back by this. Of course, for the next game in a couple of days’ time, changes are likely. For one, Bruce’s hand injury will have healed, and secondly, the lack of recovery time will demand that other players are given opportunities on the pitch.

City have the best home form of any team in the bottom half of the league, but that is because seven of the eight teams they’ve played at home are currently in the bottom half. Given United have often played like a bottom half team this season, it’s entirely conceivable that an organised Hull City defence, as seen against Liverpool and Stoke City recently, could keep Manchester United out. If Rio Ferdinand plays, City will also fancy their chances of scoring.

Manchester United have problems of their own to contend with, possibly worse than being managed by Steve Bruce. They’re managed by David Moyes, who is an Everton manager trying to make Manchester United play the David Moyes way, which is to say, functionally. United have a weaker squad than the other big clubs, but it’s still incongruous to see the decisions made by Moyes so far. Ashley Young on the pitch, Chris Smalling chosen ahead of Rafael – the man is an enigma.

With Danny Welbeck, Michael Carrick and Robin van Persie doubtful or injured, United will have to rely on Wayne Rooney and, urgh, Tom Cleverley. Cleverley has been made a scapegoat, as some kind of gutless midfielder incapable of incisive passing or physical presence, and that is largely because he is some kind of gutless midfielder incapable of incisive passing or physical presence.

If United can overcome these obstacles, and if Hull City lack concentration, then they should consider themselves favourites and complete a routine victory, but going on the evidence of the season, there is no guarantee that this will happen. So, a 5-0 victory to Hull? You heard it here first.