United to take advantage of rivals flop to cut the gap at the table Machester United vs Hull City Preview

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United to cut the gap to the top four to two point taking advantage of Arsenal lose, with Liverpool and Tottenham drawing.
Jose Mourinho has confirmed Eric Bailly will play against Hull despite the fact he only injured his ankle playing for the U23s on Monday following his early arrival from Africa Cup of Nations.
The Manchester United manager made wholesale changes to the side that thrashed Wigan 4-0 on Sunday and will recall the likes of Michael Carrick, David De Gea, Paul Pogba, Antonio Valencia and Zlatan Ibrahimovic here.

Anthony Martial did not perform 'magnificently' against Wigan but did finish with two assists and had a goal disallowed, but Mourinho has confirmed he will drop back to the bench on Wednesday.
Luke Shaw also got a rare run out at the weekend but follow in Martial's footsteps due to the three-day turnaround. With Baily set to play, Marcos Rojo could move out to the left.

Curtis Davies picked up another injury during Hull's surprise 4-1 defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday and could be out for eight weeks.
Dieumerci Mbokani is also unlikely to feature in Wednesday's clash following DR Congo's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations at the weekend. Marco Silva is expected to be without nine other first-team players here.
Silva has denied Andrew Robertson will leave the club so he will play here. Andrea Ranocchia joined on Tuesday and is free to play here, although a place on the bench seems more likely unless Michael Dawson fails to overcome a slight problem.
Fellow deadline day signing Alfred N'Diaye is awaiting international clearance but may not have signed in time to feature here.
MANAGERS VIEW
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho: "The last time we played them, even a defeat would have been a good result. Even to lose the match by one goal difference would give us a final.

"And tomorrow only three points is a good result for us so if we don't win it's really bad because we need to win matches. That's a big difference, we need to win the match.

Hull head coach Marco Silva on the loan signing of Andrea Ranocchia: "Andrea is a good signing for us and he plays in a position that we needed to add to.

"We are happy with Michael Dawson, Harry Maguire and Curtis Davies but in these last games they do a lot to help the team. With the injury to Curtis now, we needed to bring in one more player.

"He has the quality to help improve our squad. He has played for a lot of years with Inter Milan and he is an international player for Italy. He is experienced also."
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

This is their fourth encounter of the season and the third competitive meeting inside 23 days.
Hull's victory in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg was their first over Manchester United in any competition since November 1974.
Hull have picked up just one point in nine Premier League meetings.
Manchester United

Manchester United's 13-match unbeaten run in the league is their longest since they went 18 games without defeat under Sir Alex Ferguson in March 2013.
United have registered 77 attempts on target in their 11 league games at Old Trafford this season, which is already more than they did in the whole of last season at home.
The Red Devils have won an unrivalled 63 Premier League games on a Wednesday.
Wayne Rooney has scored seven goals and set up four more in his seven league appearances against Hull.
Hull City

Hull have won just two of their last 20 league games.
However, new head coach Marco Silva has won three of his first six games in all competitions.
After picking up four points from their first two away games in the league this season, they have lost their last nine in succession.
They have scored just six goals in their 11 away league games.
The Tigers have already conceded 10 penalties in the Premier League this season - one away from the equalling the record in a single campaign, set by Blackburn Rovers in 2006-07.

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Club by club analysis the deals that are expected to go through before transfer deadline

Arsenal

In: None expected.

Out: Carl Jenkinson is still set to leave with both Crystal Palace and West Ham interested in signing the right-back. Mathieu Debuchy is also available but little interest has been shown in him. Gedion Zelalem is attracting interest from Bundesliga and Eredivisie sides. A loan move to VVV Venlo looks most likely.

Bournemouth

In: Having lost Nathan Ake — recalled by parent club Chelsea — Bournemouth are in the market for a defender but are not close to any deal. They are also interested in Asmir Begovic but any deal is dependant on Chelsea finding a replacement though he wants to move Chelsea don't want to sell
Out: Max Gradel could depart before the end of the window with Watford closing in on a £3million deal for the winger.

Burnley

In: The Clarets have made a £13millon offer for Norwich City's Robbie Brady who is also of interest to five other clubs, who is Sean Dyche's top target for this month. They could also raid the Canaries for Alex Pritchard, but face competition form Swansea.

Out: Ipswich want to sign Burnley's teenage forward Daniel Agyei. They have had a loan offer rebuffed but could return.

Chelsea

In: Chelsea were briefly linked with a move for Fernando Llorente, but that was before Diego Costa's exit was ruled out. Chelsea remain on the lookout for defensive reinforcements and have entered the race for Victor Lindelof but are unlikely to sign anyone before February 1.

Lindelof has been linked with both Chelsea and United

Out: None expected. There has been interest in Asmir Begovic but the Blues do not want to sell him unless they can find a suitable replacement.

Crystal Palace

In: Despite failing to agree personal terms with Carl Jenkinson, Palace remain interested in the Arsenal defender. They are also considering moves for Oliver Burke, Ben Davies, Jeffrey Schlupp and Patrick van Aanholt. There is mild interest in Robbie Brady but defensive reinforcements are top of the agenda.

Out: Sam Allardyce seems unimpressed with Christian Benteke but it unlikely to let him leave before signing a replacement, which doesn't seem to be on the cards. Yohan Cbaye is another potential exit. The Frenchman could be sold to free up funds for other transfers.

Everton

In: None expected.

Out: Ronald Koeman has admitted Phil Jagielka could leave this month as the veteran defender is unhappy with a lack of game time.
Hull

In: Hull are trying to bring in a number of new faces before the window closes. Estoril's Evandro, Swansea's Jefferson Montero and Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez are all targets for new manager Marco Silva.

Out: West Ham are keen to sign Robert Snodgrass a 10.5m pounds deal has been agreed

Leicester City

In: The Foxes have shown interest in Robbie Brady but face competition from five other clubs.

Out: Leonardo Ulloa, who is struggling for game time, is keen to leave before the end of the window while Shinji Okazaki is being targeted for a Bundesliga return with Schalke. Leicester are also prepared to let Jeffrey Schlupp leave if a club matches his £13million asking price.

Liverpool

In: None expected

Out: Mamadou Sakho looks set to leave and is likely to end up at Southampton, who have just sold Jose Fonte to West Ham.

Manchester City

In: The club have already brought in Gabriel Jesus, no further signings are expected in january. City are keen on Juan Bernat but will not make a move until the summer.

Out: Yaya Toure was the subject of an offer from China but the Ivorian says he is not interested.

Manchester United

In: United are still mulling over an offer for Victor Lindelof. Scouts have been sent numerous times to watch him but they are unsure regarding Benfica's hefty price tag.

Out: Ashley Young is the most likely departure. The former Aston Villa and Watford man has been the subject of interest from China, and he is open to a move.

Middlesbrough

In: Boro are still in the market for attacking reinforcements. They are interested in taking Oliver Burke on loan from RB Leipzig.

Out: Stewart Downing looks set to leave. The club veteran is not part of Aitor Karanka's first team plans. Jordan Rhodes also looks likey to leave with both Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday keen.

Southampton

In: Having sold Jose Fonte to West Ham, Southampton need a new centre-back and are likely to sign Mamadou Sakho from Liverpool. Hoffenheim's Fabian Schar is another target while both Saints and Swansea have made enquiries about Yoric Ravet of Young Boys. Claude Puel is also keen on Napoli's Manolo Gabbiadini but any deal would cost Southampton £18million.

Out: Jay Rodriguez is wanted by three Premier League clubs but it is far from certain he will leave this month.

Stoke City

In: None expected.

Out: Bojan looks likely to leave and could be on his way to Mainz now that Stoke have signed his replacement, Saido Berahino.

Sunderland

In: Former Man City and Aston Villa defender Joleon Lescott has been offered a short term deal by Sunderland. The Black cats are also keen on Robbie Brady.

Out: Patrick van Aanholt is in talks over a move to Crystal Palace. West ham are still interested in Jermain Defoe but a move is highly unlikely.

Swansea City

In: Swansea are targeting Norwich duo Alex Pritchard and Robbie Brady as they look to boost their survival chances. Swansea and Southampton have both made enquiries about Yoric Ravet of Young Boys while Aston Villa's Jordan Ayew is another target.

Out: Jefferson Montero could leave with Hull said to be interested in the winger. Modou Barrow is also being targeted by Newcastle.

Tottenham

In: None expected.

Out: Spurs have rejected an offer from Crystal Palace for Ben Davies but Sam Allardyce could return with another bid. Dele Alli has attracted interest from both Barcelona and Real Madrid but there is no chance of him leaving this month.

Watford

In: Watford are close to sealing a loan move for West Ham's Mauro Zarate. Max Gradel is also a £3million target.

Out: Odion Ighalo has struggled to recreate the form of last season and has emerged as a target for West Brom. The Hornets are also trying to loan out Jerome Sinclair.

West Brom

In: Odion Ighalo is wanted by the Baggies after struggling at Watford. Robert Snodgrass is another target although the Scot looks more likely to move to West Ham.
Out: Derby are keen on Brendan Galloway but Everton are reluctant to let him leave, despite not playing him.

West Ham

In: The Hammers are keen to tie up deals for Brentford striker Scott Hogan and Hull's Robert Snodgrass. They also retain an interest in Carl Jenkinson.

Out: Dimitri Payet looks certain to leave after he told Slaven Bilic he no longer wants to play for the club. Marseille is his most likely destination.

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