Manchester United face a tricky game against Hull City on Boxing Day

Moyes has been undergoing a change of fortunes at Manchester United

Manchester United have a tantalizing fixture ahead of them when they travel to the Kingston Connect stadium to face an upcoming Hull City on Boxing Day. The Red Devils have just gone back to their winning ways after enduring a frustrating start to the festive season with consecutive defeats to Everton and Newcastle United. David Moyes has led Manchester United, who have scored six goals in their last to games, to wins against Aston Villa and West Ham United will hope to emerge the victor against Steve Bruce’s team in order to reduce the gap in the title race.

Hull City are also a transformed team this season under former Manchester United player Steve Bruce who has built quite a capable squad out of the newly promoted team. The Tigers have not let a single team score more than 3 goals at the KC Stadium, Manchester City are the only club to have come near this feat, and have gone unbeaten in their last three Premier League games.

Steve Bruce has a win rate of 45.07% with Hull City which is his most impressive managerial record since he took the reigns of Crystal Palace in 2001 where he amassed a win rate of 61.11%. Bruce took the reigns of the Kingston club last season when they were still in the Championship and led them through an impressive campaign, managing to clinch a second place finish below winners Cardiff City. Ever since then Bruce has managed to keep Hull City 12th in the Premier League, 7 points above Championship play-off winners Crystal Palace.

Manchester United will be without their prolific striker Robin Van Persie who is out with injury and Danny Welbeck, who opened the scoring against West Ham United, is a doubt after picking up a knee injury. Wayne Rooney, who is in terrific form this season, is expected to lead the United charge against the Tigers and may be partnered with Mexican goal machine Javier Hernandez.

Fellani and Carrick are out with injury while Darren Fletcher is yet to regain full match fitness so David Moyes may opt for the midfield duo of Tom Cleverley and Phil Jones for the fixture. Antonio Valencia seems to have regained his deadly form this season and will almost certainly be used on the right flank. The winger forms a lethal partnership with right back Rafael which leads to many attacking threats.

The defense may undergo some change since the match against West Ham even though the back four performed fabulously. Nemanja Vidic or Rio Ferdinand may return to the starting line up after a long absence from the first team. The veteran defenders have slipped in form this season and have been replaced by young blood. Moyes has stated that the two center back will have to fight for their place in the first team and may give them a chance to do just that tomorrow.

Belgian youngster Adnan Januzaj may be included in the fixture to increase the Red Devils’s attacking options. The Belgian youngster scored a sublime goal against West Ham and even managed to pick up the Man of the Match award for his performance against the Hammers. Robin Van Persie’s absence has some what reduced the attacking threat but Januzaj is perfectly capable of filling in for the Dutchman.

A win will push Manchester United, who currently sit eighth in the standings, up the ladder in the Premier League and even have a chance to leapfrog if their rivals drop points. The fixture will not be easy but hopefully the reformed Manchester United will come out the winners.