Hull to test Jose’s United
ALTHOUGH it’s still early days in the Premier League season, Manchester United and Hull City square off in an unexpected top-of-the-table clash tomorrow.
The pair are among four teams to win their first two games in what is expected to be a wide-open race for the league title.
While United were expected to be in the hunt for the top spot, promoted Hull are a surprise after an off-season in which manager Steve Bruce quit three weeks before the opening match and injuries left the club with just 13 fit senior players.
But led by caretaker manager Mike Phelan, a former United assistant under Alex Ferguson, the Tigers have defied the odds and beaten champions Leicester and Swansea so far.
Next up is a visit by Jose Mourinho’s side but Hull’s Sam Clucas doesn’t see it as a battle of title contenders.
“I didn’t think we would be saying this is a top-of-the-table clash,” the midfielder said. “It will be an exciting game and United are looking very good at the moment. As a United supporter, I’m obviously looking forward to it.”
United’s fast start has been fuelled by new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has three goals in two league matches, and Juan Mata looks for it to continue.
“We have a tough game ahead at Hull City,” the mid- fielder said on the club’s website. “It’s never easy and they are one of the four teams that have won the first two games this season.
“They are back in the Premier League this year and are having a surprising start.
“We will try to win and keep our good streak.”
Chelsea and Manchester City, the other two perfect sides, face quick turnarounds after midweek wins. Chelsea are at Burnley after playing in the League Cup and City host West Ham after winning their Champions League play-off over Steaua Bucharest.
Leicester and Arsenal, last season’s top two, take to the road in search of their first vic- tories after battling to a goalless draw last time out.
The champions are at Swansea and the Gunners visit Watford.
“Watford is going to be another tough game because every game is this season, so it’s going to be very difficult,” Arsenal winger Theo Walcott said. “Each team gets better each year. It doesn’t matter how we play, as long as we get the three points.”
An up-and-down weekend for Liverpool wraps up with a visit to Tottenham.
The Reds lost 2-0 to Burnley in the league last Saturday despite having 81% possession, then thrashed Burton Albion 5-0 in the League Cup.
“It’s an exciting game,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told a news conference yesterday.
“I’ve seen a lot of good signs from us.
“We’ve become more experienced. We feel stronger together now.”
Klopp has dismissed suggestions that Daniel Sturridge is frustrated with the role he’s being asked to play at Liverpool and believes the forward is intelligent enough to be a key figure in his flexible tactical approach.
Sturridge featured on the right side last weekend as Liverpool were defeated 2-0 by Burnley in the Premier League, and was used in a similar capacity in the big victory over Burton Albion in the League Cup on Tuesday.
Speaking after that match, Sturridge indicated that he was finding it hard to play in a wide role rather than as a centre-forward, but any suggestion of disharmony has been dismissed by Klopp.
“There is absolutely no problem,” Klopp told reporters yesterday when asked about the forward’s apparent complaint.
“I don’t want to play Daniel as a wide player, but he can play there.
“Burnley and Burton weren’t games where I needed an offensive winger,” he added. “It wasn’t a fixed position for him.”
Despite a toothless performance against Burnley last weekend, Klopp has no shortage of offensive options, having added Sadio Mane to the likes of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi.
“Daniel is a very smart player. He’s good at getting himself into positions where it’s not easy to defend,” the German coach continued. “It’s flexible football. It’s about getting in and around the box.”