Manchester United lost ground on local rivals Manchester City in the race for a Champions League spot with a goalless draw against Hull City. Paul Pogba was one of many in the United lineup to be denied a goal on a night of grit from Hull City, who could even consider themselves unlucky to not register a second win over the Red Devils in the space of a week.
The result leaves United 4 points short of the fourth spot, while a point for Hull lifts them off the bottom of the table ahead of Sunderland.
Here are the talking points from the game:
#5 Hull City‘s dealings in the January transfer window have been net positive
With seven new faces in the Hull squad – two yet to receive international clearance – Marcos Silva has made utmost use of the transfer window to try and impose his identity on a side that faces an uphill task to avoid relegation. While five of those seven signings are on loan, the impact they have between now and the end of the season could make a world of difference at the KCOM stadium.
Lazar Markovic and Evandro impressed right from the start – with the former striking the post late in the game – and Ranocchia impressed in his role as a substitute, with the 3-man defence a possible tactic for Hull going forward.
If the departure of Robert Snodgrass and Jake Livermore had the fans worried – and with good reason too, the Scotsman having contributed to half of Hull’s goals this season – they will breathe a little easier on the evidence of this night’s performances from their new signings.
#4 What is United’s best central defensive pairing?
Even with Eric Bailly back from the African Cup of Nations, Jose Mourinho stuck with the pairing of Jones and Rojo at the centre of defence and as usual had his faith repaid with solid performances. However, with Jones having to be substituted due to a suspected hamstring issue, the Portuguese has plenty to ponder over what his best combination is at the heart of defence.
The clean sheets have been vital to United’s hopes of still sneaking into a top four spot, especially with the attackers failing to fire on all cylinders in the league.
United have scored the least number of goals of the top seven in the table – Everton climbing above them on that count tonight – and will be counting on getting the answer to this question right in order to keep up their pursuit.
#3 Oumar Niasse and Hull City benefit from Mike Jones’ disciplinary record
Hull striker Niasse – signed recently on loan from Everton – received a yellow card early in the first half, and was lucky not to be sent off for dangerous tackles on two subsequent occasions. The first of those came around the half-hour mark in the game – a stomp on Michael Carrick’s shin after the ball had been played – and the latter around the hour mark, where a studs-up challenge in United’s box again resulted in only a free kick.
On both occasions, the case was sufficient to warrant a yellow card and Hull City will consider themselves lucky the game was refereed by Mike Jones.
The official has only flashed the red card on one instance in the Premier League this entire season, and his refusal to do so in this game might have had a big impact on the result.
#2 Will Rashford push Martial closer to the exit door?
While there were impressive performances across the board from United’s attackers (that is if one can be impressive in attack in a goalless draw) but the standout performance came from young Rashford whose pace and control caused problems for the Hull defence all through the game. Not only was he decisive with the ball at his feet, his vision and decision making were almost perfect this game, as demonstrated by an audacious backheel flick across the box from a corner that somehow failed to be headed home.
While many would have expected Martial to start this game after having bagged two assists in the FA Cup and Jose’s comments on keeping him in the starting line-up, Rashford grabbed the opportunity given to him with both hands. Could the emergence of one rising talent push another out of Old Trafford?
#1 Eldin Jakupovic has a blinder in goal
Having re-established him as the first choice custodian at Hull, Marcos Silva saw Eldin Jakupovic pull off an incredible six saves to earn his side a point at Old Trafford. While the first half only needed him to make save at his near side from Pogba, the second half placed a much more strenuous ask of the 32-year-old and he rose up to the challenge.
The most stunning of his saves came off the line from Juan Mata who seemed certain to score after Smalling had headed a ball across the face of goal, but in spite of doing little wrong, the Spaniard was denied.
Having had their hearts broken deep in added time in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Hull had Jakupovic to thank for avoiding a repeat of the same with a diving effort that denied a curler from Pogba that made its way past a crowded box. Undoubtedly the man of the match.
