The Tigers roared and roared but the Reds triumphed 4-3 in a pulsating encounter at Old Trafford.
Hull’s fairytale start to the season looked a distant memory when Nemanja Vidic sent United 4-1 up on 57 minutes, but goals from Bernard Mendy and Geovanni made for nervy final moments at the Theatre of Dreams.
Hulls’s fans certainly thought they were in dreamland, as they sung “this is the best trip we’ve ever been on”. All good things must end, though, and when referee Mike Dean blew the final whistle it was United’s fans who were celebrating three precious Premier League points.
At his pre-match press conference, Sir Alex said he was confident he could keep Berbatov, Rooney and Tevez all happy. Against Hull, it was Rooney and Berbatov who were charged with leading the line.
Wes Brown was left out of the squad after picking up a minor knock on his ankle. Gary Neville occupied the right back berth in what was his 550th United appearance, while Cristiano Ronaldo played his 250th Reds match. Michael Carrick started his first match since mid-September after returning from a foot injury, with Darren Fletcher relegated to the bench.
Edwin van der Sar also returned in goal but he’d barely touched the ball before the Reds went in front. Surprise, surprise, it was that man Ronaldo, with his third of the week. Dimitar Berbatov drilled the ball towards the Portuguese winger, who took one touch with his back to goal before swiveling to hit a sweet half-volley in off the post.
By the manager’s own admission, United took their foot off the gas against West Ham in midweek after going 2-0 up. Against Hull, however, the Reds continued to press. Berbatov produced a sublime piece of juggling skill in the middle of the park before releasing Nani down the left wing. His cross sat up invitingly at the back post but Kamil Zayatte bravely headed clear with Ronaldo poised to pounce.
Rooney then fired inches over from the edge of the box on 17 minutes but it was Hull who found the net next, summer signing Daniel Cousin flicking an Andy Dawson free-kick into the far corner on 23 minutes.
Since their arrival in the top flight, Phil Brown’s side have earned a reputation for being well organised, and Hull’s equaliser certainly looked like a well-rehearsed set-piece. That United have now conceded twice in a week from headers will worry Sir Alex Ferguson, however.
The visitors had obviously come to play football, but as is so often the case at Old Trafford, that tactic played right into the Reds’ hands. Six minutes later, United’s lead was restored, as City’s defenders backed off Michael Carrick. Released by Berbatov, Carrick advanced, picked his spot and fired a 20-yard effort across Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and into the far corner.
Rooney next had the ball in the net, but his effort was (incorrectly) ruled out by a referee assistant’s offside flag. Never mind: Ronaldo made it 3-1 on 44 minutes, heading in Nani’s corner via a slight touch off former Reds defender Paul McShane.
Neither manager made changes at the break but it was Sir Alex’s men who crafted the best chances early in the second half. Berbatov and Ronaldo both dragged shots wide before Nemanja Vidic made it 4-1, tapping in Rooney’s corner from close range.
The scoring didn’t stop there, however. Hull substitute Bernard Mendy dinked the ball over van der Sar to pull another back for the visitors before referee Mike Dean awarded Hull a dubious penalty in the 82nd minute after Mendy and Ferdinand tangled inside the area.
Ex-Manchester City forward Geovanni stepped up to dispatch the ball into the net and give Hull real hope of a dramatic, last-gasp draw.
United: Van der Sar; Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick (Giggs 72), Anderson (O’Shea 88), Nani (Tevez 64); Rooney, Berbatov
Subs: Foster, Rafael, Fletcher, Park
Booked: Rooney, Tevez
Hull City: Myhill; McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson; Marney, Boateng, Hughes (Mendy 59), Geovanni; Cousin, King (Halmosi 63)
Subs: Duke, Barmby, Garcia, Folan, Ricketts
Booked: Turner, Mendy
Attendance: 75, 398
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Saturday, November 1, 2008
Manchester United Vs. Hull City Highlights Video Clip
Manchester United [4 - 3] Hull City
3' [1 - 0] C. Ronaldo
23' [1 - 1] D. Cousin
29' [2 - 1] M. Carrick
44' [3 - 1] C. Ronaldo
57' [4 - 1] N. Vidic
69' [4 - 2] P. McShane
82' [4 - 3] A. Gardner (pen.)
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3' [1 - 0] C. Ronaldo
23' [1 - 1] D. Cousin
29' [2 - 1] M. Carrick
44' [3 - 1] C. Ronaldo
57' [4 - 1] N. Vidic
69' [4 - 2] P. McShane
82' [4 - 3] A. Gardner (pen.)
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Thursday, October 30, 2008
Reds announce new sponsor
Hublot - the Swiss manufacturer of prestige watches – has become the official timekeeper to Manchester United in a multi-million pound, three-year sponsorship deal.
It's the fourth sponsor to commit to United since the summer, following in the footsteps of Saudi Telecom, Seoul Metropolitan Government and Budweiser’s deal renewal. It's a sign, United chief executive David Gill says, of United's commercial standing.
“We are in difficult economic times, but this deal shows that there are still deals to be done,” he told MUTV. “It’s not to say that football is not going to be impacted by that. But if you can combine the strength of a brand like Manchester United and a company like Hublot then you have got a wonderful combination.”
Hublot, which produced the official watches for Euro 2008, announced the deal at a press conference at Old Trafford on Thursday, attended by David Gill, manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and FIFPro World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo.
“We’re delighted to welcome such a prestigious partner as Hublot to Manchester United,” added Gill. “Their reputation for excellence and innovation makes them a fitting and exciting sponsor. Sir Alex is well known as a stickler for timekeeping on and off the pitch - now we have a partner that shares his passion!”
Jean-Claude Biver, chief executive of Hublot, described it as an “extraordinary partnership”. “Manchester United is the number one club in the world. We’re very proud to be the official timekeeper of the most prestigious football club in the world.”
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It's the fourth sponsor to commit to United since the summer, following in the footsteps of Saudi Telecom, Seoul Metropolitan Government and Budweiser’s deal renewal. It's a sign, United chief executive David Gill says, of United's commercial standing.
“We are in difficult economic times, but this deal shows that there are still deals to be done,” he told MUTV. “It’s not to say that football is not going to be impacted by that. But if you can combine the strength of a brand like Manchester United and a company like Hublot then you have got a wonderful combination.”
Hublot, which produced the official watches for Euro 2008, announced the deal at a press conference at Old Trafford on Thursday, attended by David Gill, manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and FIFPro World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo.
“We’re delighted to welcome such a prestigious partner as Hublot to Manchester United,” added Gill. “Their reputation for excellence and innovation makes them a fitting and exciting sponsor. Sir Alex is well known as a stickler for timekeeping on and off the pitch - now we have a partner that shares his passion!”
Jean-Claude Biver, chief executive of Hublot, described it as an “extraordinary partnership”. “Manchester United is the number one club in the world. We’re very proud to be the official timekeeper of the most prestigious football club in the world.”
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Sir Alex assures Tevez
Carlos Tevez has been reassured he remains an integral cog in the United machine, despite earning his only start in October against West Ham on Wednesday.
Sir Alex admitted that Tevez began to tire in the second half of the 2-1 win over Gianfranco Zola's men, something he put down to the forward's lack of starts in the last month.
In his United Review programme notes before the game, Sir Alex was keen to stress Tevez's importance to the team.
"Our attackers have been drawing all the attention," he said. "Wayne Rooney is having the time of his life and striking up a fine partnership with Dimitar Berbatov, now coming into his own after his late transfer and missing our pre-season preparation.
"Those are the names on everyone’s lips, and I am as thrilled as anyone by their form. But my thoughts have centred more on the forward who has been the odd man out.
"I'm thinking of Carlos Tevez, and the fact that I have not started him in as many games as he would like. But looking at the big picture, Carlos remains just as important to us as the guys who have been hogging the headlines of late."
Sir Alex last week had a meeting with the Argentina international to reaffirm Tevez's standing at Old Trafford.
"I sat down with Carlos only last week to stress to him that our faith in him is absolute, that he remains a top player in the eyes of myself, the players and our supporters.
"It’s just that three players won’t fit into two positions, and while I am tempted to accommodate all three star forwards, my job is to balance the team."
Incorporating Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo in the same line-up is a difficult - if not altogether inconvenient - challenge for the United boss.
"It could be done against certain opposition," he said. "But it isn’t the real solution and we are doing so well I don’t want to meddle too much.
"I think Carlos understands this – and of course I have explained that when the season really hots up, we’ll need absolutely everyone."
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Sir Alex admitted that Tevez began to tire in the second half of the 2-1 win over Gianfranco Zola's men, something he put down to the forward's lack of starts in the last month.
In his United Review programme notes before the game, Sir Alex was keen to stress Tevez's importance to the team.
"Our attackers have been drawing all the attention," he said. "Wayne Rooney is having the time of his life and striking up a fine partnership with Dimitar Berbatov, now coming into his own after his late transfer and missing our pre-season preparation.
"Those are the names on everyone’s lips, and I am as thrilled as anyone by their form. But my thoughts have centred more on the forward who has been the odd man out.
"I'm thinking of Carlos Tevez, and the fact that I have not started him in as many games as he would like. But looking at the big picture, Carlos remains just as important to us as the guys who have been hogging the headlines of late."
Sir Alex last week had a meeting with the Argentina international to reaffirm Tevez's standing at Old Trafford.
"I sat down with Carlos only last week to stress to him that our faith in him is absolute, that he remains a top player in the eyes of myself, the players and our supporters.
"It’s just that three players won’t fit into two positions, and while I am tempted to accommodate all three star forwards, my job is to balance the team."
Incorporating Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo in the same line-up is a difficult - if not altogether inconvenient - challenge for the United boss.
"It could be done against certain opposition," he said. "But it isn’t the real solution and we are doing so well I don’t want to meddle too much.
"I think Carlos understands this – and of course I have explained that when the season really hots up, we’ll need absolutely everyone."
Read more...
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