EPL - Hull City vs Manchester United - May 24
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vs 
Hull City vs Manchester
United Sunday, 24 May 2009EPL Game 38, last game of the season -
Since Man Utd win the title
Plz Bully Hull City by winning them coz i wan Newcastle to Stay -
Boateng urges Fergie to pick the kitman
George Boateng has urged Manchester Untied to play a severely weakened team on the final day of the season.
Having wrapped up the title against Arsenal on Saturday, United now have no domestic concerns with which to occupy themselves ahead of the Champions League final against Barcelona.
Hull are in a far from as luxurious position despite their 1-1 draw with Bolton but now know that their safety lies in their own hands.
A win over United would guarantee a second year in The Premier League for Phil Brown’s side, while a draw would suffice should Newcastle fail to beat Aston Villa.
"I'd like to think all the pressure is on Newcastle," said Boateng. "They have the tougher game. They couldn't beat Fulham at home, and going to Villa Park is harder than that. Aston Villa want to finish their season on a high. They are playing a team that is struggling and the game is sold out, so I would expect Villa to do their duty.
"I'm quite confident that if we can get a point, we'll be okay because I don't see Newcastle winning at Villa Park.
"I hope United's minds will be on Rome. Four days later they have a massive Champions League Final so I hope their kitman is on the teamsheet.
"But ultimately it's about us. We proved against Bolton that our belief is back and the way we've played over the whole season, we deserve to be in the Premier League.
"It's an advantage for us. No, can I rephrase that? It's a massive plus that the title's over and done with now. But is the pressure ever off Manchester United? People are playing for their places in the Champions League final so it will still be a tough one. There will be no favours."
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ok ok... play 10 second team player.. but CR will play.. cos he want his golden boot...
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Fergie may decide to rest most of his first XI for the ultimate match against Barca.
But seriously, the firepower of the second XI is still no laughing matter.
And yeah, I want Newcastle to remain in the Premier League as well.
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funnily, why newcastle fans want their team to stay up.
Do U even want progress for this team? If U want, let them drop, cut all the dead weight, even maybe resolve the team's ownership and then come back up if they are good enough.
what's the point of staying up, and being the whipping boys of EPL, cause the owner won't pump in much money.. and in the long run, just becomes a bottom-feeder?
whether U want short run or long run lor...
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Hmmm 2nd XI consists of Rafael, Macheda, Welbeck, Gibson, Evans, Possebon, Fabio. No laughing matter considering they held Everton to a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes
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i think man u may field youngsters..
given that they alr have won e EPL title
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maybe fergie will field his youth squad
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I think Giggs or Scholes will be playing for last match
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dont think so lah
i think they will sign extension contracts
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I mean they will play for this match (also can call Last Match)
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too bad they will need ferdinand for the rome match. otherwise can let him be striker, the other time he wanted it.
but actually I think this will be a good chance to test the youngsters and people he's unsure about
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Hull's survival hopes hang on Fergie's kid glove treatment
It's time for big Ben: rookie keeper Amos may play for United along with Chester, Cathcart, Tosic and Eckersley (below)
Sir Alex Ferguson is considering throwing a 19-year-old goalkeeper who has played just once for Manchester United into a game that could decide the fate of Hull City and Newcastle United.
It is understood that, as he looks to protect his first-team players from injury ahead of next Wednesday's Champions League final against Barcelona in Rome, United manager Ferguson is considering handing young Ben Amos his Premier League debut at Hull on Sunday.
Ferguson will not risk first-choice Edwin van der Sar, and with England's Ben Foster out of action for the rest of the season after a thumb injury, the United boss is also concerned about playing Van der Sar's other understudy, Tomasz Kuszczak, in case he is injured ahead of the European showpiece final.
This leaves only Amos, whose sole first-team appearance was in a 3-1 Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough at Old Trafford last September. Ferguson is aware of the criticism he will receive if he fields a team of youngsters against Hull because Newcastle - who are at Aston Villa on the same day - will definitely be relegated if United lose.
He also knows that Rio Ferdinand, who has missed the last two games with a calf problem, wants to play for half an hour and that Cristiano Ronaldo is anxious for some game time as he looks to score the goals that could clinch his position as the league's top scorer.
Yet both players are likely to be disappointed because Ferguson has already told his senior stars that most will not be needed at Hull and that they should instead concentrate on readying themselves for Rome.
It is expected that the team United field will include experienced players such as Gary Neville, Darren Fletcher - suspended for the Champions League final - and Portugal winger Nani as well as talented young strikers Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck and Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson.
Richard Eckersley and James Chester
Elsewhere, Hull and Newcastle fans can expect to see less heralded players such as defenders James Chester - United's Young Player of the Year - and Richard Eckersley.
Hull midfielder George Boateng joked: 'We've been talking in the dressing room about who they may pick. We are hoping that Sir Alex may even call out someone from the kit room. But whoever he picks we will be playing to win.'
Zoran Tosic and Craig Cathcart
Ferguson was slammed after an under-strength team lost to West Ham when Carlos Tevez scored the winner on the final day of the 2006-07 season, thus relegating Sheffield United. Ferguson subsequently rang manager Neil Warnock to apologise.
But speaking ahead of the weekend draw with Arsenal that clinched the title for United, Ferguson suggested that any team he picks would be capable of winning at Hull.
He said: 'I've got a fit and capable squad. I could pick two very good sides from this squad and the team I select for Sunday will reflect that.
'I have to assess what's best for Manchester United, but also be fair to other clubs. That part of it is important.'
He is obliged to play a strong side under Premier League regulations. Rule E20 states: 'In every league match each participating club should field a full-strength team.'
Yet the rule is notoriously ambiguous and it is unlikely that the league would get involved unless Ferguson selected a youth team.
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bye bye Newcastle
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What time is the match? Any idea?
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I read that boro, newcastle and sunderland are exploring legal avenue if fergie fielded kids against Hull, as relegation has financial consequences to those who went down.
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Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland have dismissed claims they could sue Manchester United if they field a weakened team at Hull on Sunday. Reports on Wednesday suggested the three clubs had held discussions as they prepare for a decisive final round of Premier League fixtures on Sunday with the highest of stakes. Hull, who are currently a point clear of 18th-placed Newcastle inside the drop zone, face United at the KC Stadium four days before the newly-crowned domestic title-holders defend their Champions League crown against Barcelona in Rome. Sir Alex Ferguson has already indicated he will use the depth of his squad with nothing but pride at stake for his club. Middlesbrough, who face West Ham at Upton Park, need the Tigers to lose if they are to have a chance of staying up, while the Magpies have to record a better result than Phil Brown's men if they are to survive. Sunderland could go down if they lose to Chelsea and both Newcastle and Hull win, meaning all three of the north-east clubs have a vested interest in the side Ferguson sends out. However, each were quick to deny they are ready to go to the courts on the basis of Premier League rules which require member clubs to field full-strength teams. A Newcastle spokesman said: "There's no truth in it whatsoever." Sunderland refused to comment on the story, but insisted there was no foundation to it, while a Boro spokesman said: "It's not true, it's nonsense." Newcastle boss Alan Shearer was asked about the kind of side he expected Ferguson to field at Hull in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Fulham. He said: "Alex, when he has been in that position, has always put out a side that does his club proud, so whoever he puts out, Manchester United are that professional so they will go out and try to win that game. "I have not got any problems with that." Ferguson has hinted that England defender Rio Ferdinand could yet play at the KC Stadium as he attempts to prove his fitness ahead of the Champions League final. The 30-year-old has missed the club's last three games with a calf injury, but could be involved at the weekend. Ferguson said: "I am hoping he will be fit for Sunday - if not, he is doubtful for Wednesday, that is for sure. "I think he needs a game going into the Champions League final because him having not played for three weeks is too much."
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well, so if MU fields a 1st team, but puts in a 10% effort, it is all clear??
what a joke that teams trying to escape relegation, blames others on the last game, when they failed miserably on the rest 37 games.. such a shame.
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Originally posted by Dead_Man_Inc:
Boateng urges Fergie to pick the kitman
"I hope United's minds will be on Rome. Four days later they have a massive Champions League Final so I hope their kitman is on the teamsheet.
Lol la, no one showed Boateng this vid of Albert Morgan.
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Maybe Hull can thrash Man U.
Punters might want to take advantage of this.
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I don't understand why MU must clear the legal restrictions and ask for permission to field a weakened team. What has it to do with them whether Hull or Newcastle go down? A lesson to learn: don't leave it so late such that you have to depend on another team!
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Originally posted by la luce nella piazza:
I don't understand why MU must clear the legal restrictions and ask for permission to field a weakened team. What has it to do with them whether Hull or Newcastle go down? A lesson to learn: don't leave it so late such that you have to depend on another team!
this is so true!
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Squad: Kuszczak, Amos, Neville, Brown, De Laet, Ferdinand, Chester, Eckersley, Simpson, Fabio, Nani, Fletcher, Gibson, Tosic, Martin, Drinkwater, Macheda, Welbeck