Hull City vs Manchester United. Premier League.
MKM StadiumAttendance24,560.
Saturday 27 August 2016 17:44, UK
Hull City and Manchester United put their 100 per cent records on the line when the meet in Saturday's late Premier League clash.
United have got off to a flying start under the charismatic Portuguese, storming to victories against Bournemouth and Southampton from their first two top-flight fixtures.
Many expected United to improve this season following the arrival of Mourinho and a number of high-profile summer signings - chiefly Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba - and, even at this early stage of the season, that appears to be the case.
If United's start under Mourinho has been impressive, Hull's adaptation to life in the top-flight has been nothing short of remarkable.
The newly-promoted Tigers have won their opening two Premier League fixtures despite having only 13 first team players available, including a 2-1 victory against champions Leicester.
Understandably, Hull interim manager Mike Phelan - who was Manchester United's assistant manager between September 2008 and May 2013 - isn't aiming to change his side too much against his former club.
Harry Maguire returned to action for Hull in the midweek EFL Cup win over Exeter, and Phelan will have to decide whether to start him this weekend.
He made seven changes in midweek and the likes of Abel Hernandez, Adama Diomande, Robert Snodgrass, Tom Huddlesstone and Andy Robertson will all return, but Greg Luer is sidelined for several weeks with a knee injury.
However, the Tigers remain without the likes of Michael Dawson, Moses Odubajo, Alex Bruce and Allan McGregor for the foreseeable future.
Mourinho looks set to have a full squad to choose from for Saturday's trip to Humberside.
Midfielder Jesse Lingard has missed the last two games, but confirmed via Twitter on Tuesday that he was back in training after his injury.
Defender Chris Smalling made his first appearance of the season by coming off the bench in the 2-0 win over Southampton last Friday and will be hoping for a return to the starting line-up.
Hull City have lost 10 and won none of their last 11 contests with Manchester United in all competitions. The Tigers' last victory over United came back in November 1974 (2-0).
Man Utd have won three of their four previous Premier League visits to the KC Stadium (D1) but have had a player sent off in the last two.
Wayne Rooney has scored seven goals in his last five Premier League games against Hull City. Overall, Rooney has been involved in 10 goals in six league appearances against the Tigers (seven goals, three assists).
Hull City have won their opening two Premier League games of 2016-17 - the only newly-promoted side to have won each of their first three games in a Premier League season are Bolton Wanderers in 2001-02.
Ibrahimovic has scored three goals in his first two Premier League appearances. The record for goals scored in a player's first three Premier League appearances is five - Pavel Pogrebnyak - while eight players have scored four goals in their first three PL games.
Only eight players have scored in each of their first three Premier League appearances: Michael Ricketts, Brian Deane, Adrian Mutu, Dalian Atkinson, Mick Quinn, Diego Costa, Pavel Pogrebnyak & Michu.
Forty-nine of Jose Mourinho's 58 league defeats as a manager have come away from home (84%).
Mike Phelan was Manchester United assistant manager between September 2008 and May 2013 - during this time, United won three Premier League titles.
Ahmed Elmohamady has appeared in every one of Hull City's 78 Premier League matches since the start of 2013-14.
I expect United will win this. Hull have done great with two wins from two and they should have had a stonewall penalty at Swansea and still carried on to get the three points.
But it's going to be forwards against defence. Hull will set up, make it tight and it will be up to Man Utd to break them down.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Betting
Hull are up against odds of 7/1 with Sky Bet to maintain their perfect start against Manchester United, who are just 4/9 for the victory. The Tigers remain odds-on for relegation at 10/11, although they have been cut from 1,500/1 to 750/1 to follow in Leicester's footsteps by defying the longest of odds to win the Premier League.
United are considered genuine contenders this season at 9/4 second favourites, with only Manchester City shorter odds. Zlatan Ibrahimovic heads the first goalscoring betting at 3/1 with Hull's main threat Abel Hernandez three times the price at 9/1.
