Manchester United-Hull City Preview

Hull City have to beat Manchester United at the KC Stadium on the final day of the Premier League season to have any chance of avoiding relegation.

The Tigers (8-10-19) are third from bottom in the table and even if they did take maximum points from the Red Devils (20-9-8), they will survive only if fellow strugglers Newcastle United fail to beat West Ham on Sunday in their match at St James' Park.

Hull lost their last three league matches and scored only one goal in the process as other relegation-threatened clubs Aston Villa, Leicester City and Sunderland all picked up crucial points in recent week to reach safety. Newcastle are two points clear of the Tigers but their goal differential is inferior (minus-25 to Hull City's minus-18) and have suffered a catastrophic loss of form, with nine defeats and a draw in 10 top-flight matches.

Bad omens for Hull are that they've never won a Premier League game during the month of May - having gone 0-3-8 over four seasons in the top flight - and Tigers boss Steve Bruce has never beaten Manchester United with several clubs as a manager in 21 previous attempts in all competitions.

Bruce remains upbeat ahead of Sunday's showdown despite the record book.

"It's a big positive that this game is at home," said Bruce told his club's official website. "We've got one of the giants of English football coming to us and we hope that with the fans right behind us and the players ready for the challenge ahead we can upset the applecart. We have to believe that there is one final twist in this and it needs to go our way.

"You could say it is a one-game season. After 37 games, you wouldn't think it would be possible for it all to come down to the last one but we have to accept that this is the situation we are in. Our preparation will be the same and we're doing a lot more today, Friday and Saturday in terms of the team and what we expect. Let's hope it's our day."

Louis van Gaal's Manchester United are destined to end their campaign in fourth place and with a place in next season's Champions League qualification phase. Hopes of a top-three finish were dented but a recent run of poor results that saw United collect just four points from five matches.

The Red Devils drew 1-1 with third-place Arsenal at Old Trafford last Sunday. Ander Herrera gave United a lead on 30 minutes with his eighth goal of the season before Tyler Blackett diverted Walcott's cross into his own net eight minutes from time to hand the Gunners a share of the points. The Gunners are three points ahead of United and have a superior goal differential (plus-32 versus United's plus-25).

Captain Wayne Rooney is delighted the Red Devils have a clinched a place in Europe's top club competition.

"The main aim was to get back into the Champions League," England striker Rooney told his club's official website. "It was very important because one year (out of the competition) was far too much for this club. So that was our main objective, to bring Champions League football back, and we've done that.

"Now we want to go and win the last game of the season and then next season we really want to push for silverware. We're establishing a very good squad who I believe can go on and win silverware next year."

Hull will be without the injured Robert Snodgrass, Curtis Davies, Mohamed Diame and Gaston Ramirez, while Jake Livermore remains suspended after failing a drug test.

Michael Carrick remains sidelined for United, with Rooney and Luke Shaw both doubtful.

The Red Devils have a perfect record against Hull in Premier League action, with seven victories. They beat the Tigers 3-0 at Old Trafford in this season's reverse fixture with goals from Rooney, Chris Smalling and Robin van Persie.