Hull v Man Utd preview

Rafael & Fabio Da Silva: Back in squad

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PREDICTIONS

skysports.com prediction: Hull 1 Man Utd 3

Sky Bet odds: Hull 7/1 Draw 7/2 Man Utd 2/5

One to watch: Rafael Da Silva

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Manchester United will travel to the KC Stadium to face Hull City on Sunday with the majority of their defence still sidelined.

The champions were thumped 3-0 at Fulham last time out, with their defensive frailties there for all to see as up to six of their backline missed out through injury.

Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson attempted to play three at the back against the Cottagers, with Ritchie De Laet, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher filling in.

United were torn apart by Roy Hodgson's men, but Ferguson admits that he could use the same system against Hull at the weekend.

Despite the heavy loss, United are still just four points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea after the Blues could only draw 1-1 with West Ham last Sunday.

However, United could go into the game seven points behind Carlo Ancelotti's side if the West Londoners beat Birmingham on Boxing Day.

The Tigers will no doubt make life hard for the champions, with manager Phil Brown seemingly easing the pressure off his shoulders after a number of positive results in the past month.

Despite the fact that the club are without a win in three, two of those games have been at Aston Villa and Arsenal, Hull are unbeaten at home in six, although they are still hovering precariously over the relegation zone.

Even though United go into the clash without a number of recognised defenders, it remains to be seen whether Hull will be able to test the visitors' shaky backline having scored just 17 goals in the league this season, the second worst tally in the top flight.

Tigers news

In contrast to their opponents, Hull have just two injuries, albeit to arguably their two most influential players.

The Tigers had looked to be moving up the table thanks to some sterling performances from the charismatic Jimmy Bullard, but the midfielder has been ruled out for six to eight weeks after injuring his knee at Aston Villa.

Although the news came as another blow for the injury-plagued 31-year-old, the fact that scans revealed no ligament damage would have been met with a huge sigh of relief by everyone at the club.

Fellow midfielder Ian Ashbee remains sidelined while he recovers from his own serious knee injury.

Red Devils news

Ferguson admits that he has had to rush back Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva for the clash and both should start. That could mean Patrice Evra moving from left-back to central defence alongside Carrick.

The Scot is also hopeful that one of either Nemanja Vidic (calf) or Wes Brown (hamstring) can return for the trip.

Fellow defender Jonny Evans (calf) remains sidelined but could feature against Wigan in midweek. Gary Neville (groin), John O'Shea (thigh) and Rio Ferdinand (back) look certain to miss out once more.

Goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar looks no nearer to recovering from the knee injury he picked up in the 3-0 win over Everton so Tomasz Kuszczak should continue in goal.

Ryan Giggs (hamstring) looks likely to be absent again while Nani (foot), Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Federico Macheda (hamstring) could all join him in the stands.

Possible starting XIs

Hull: Myhill, Gardner, McShane, Dawson, Zayatte, Geovanni, Fagan, Boateng, Olofinjana, Garcia, Hunt.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Rafael, Evra, Vidic, Fabio, Valencia, Fletcher, Anderson, Obertan, Rooney, Berbatov.