Reaction and Ratings: Hull City showed personality in Manchester United draw, says Marco Silva

Manchester United missed the chance to make up ground on the Premier League's top five as struggling Hull claimed a battling goalless draw at Old Trafford.
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is dejected after a missed chance.Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is dejected after a missed chance.
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is dejected after a missed chance.

Hull defended superbly throughout as United dominated possession and goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic produced fine saves to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Juan Mata.

The visitors might even have snatched victory in the closing stages when new signing Lazar Markovic hit the post with David de Gea well beaten.

Hull’s point lifted them off the foot of the table.

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Manager Marco Silva said: “Of course I am happy. We had a very good performance. We showed very good organisation in many moments again.

“We play as a team - when we need to suffer, we were ready to suffer.

“But our team showed big character in some moments and big personality in the game, which is important for me.”

As for the performance of outstanding goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, Silva said: “I don’t like to talk about individual players. Of course we play as a team.

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“This night it is a good night for him - maybe next Saturday it is a good afternoon for the other players.

“It is football but I am happy with the performance Eldin showed for me.

“He is in a good moment. It is important for the team.”

Tweet of the Match

“FT: #mufc 0 #hcafc 0. A huge result for City. A first point away from home since September 10 lifts them off the foot of the table.” - Hull Daily Mail reporter Phil Buckingham (@PJBuckingham) reflects on a gallant effort from the visitors.

Star Man

Eldin Jakupovic.

Hull’s defence were superbly organised with Michael Dawson and Harry Maguire both outstanding. They successfully repelled numerous United attacks but there were times when they needed help from their goalkeeper. Jakupovic did not disappoint, with his saves to deny Pogba and Mata especially brilliant.

Moment of the match

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United seemed certain to take the lead when the ball fell to Mata midway through the second half and the Spaniard connected with a fierce shot, but Jakupovic somehow blocked on the line from near point-blank range with his feet. It was a superb save, underlining Hull’s determination, and they did not deserve to lose after that.

View from the bench

Marco Silva certainly took on a challenge when he accepted the Hull post but his work so far has been highly promising. The Tigers look like a composed side, particularly at the back. Three games against United in a month is a strong test for any manager but Silva has come through it with credit. For his fellow Portuguese Jose Mourinho, on the other hand, this was a highly frustrating evening. With a chance to make ground on the top five, United again showed the lack of killer instinct in front of goal that frustrated them numerous times earlier in the season.

Ratings

Manchester United

David de Gea: 6/10

Antonio Valencia: 7

Phil Jones: 6

Marcos Rojo: 6

Daley Blind: 6

Ander Herrera: 5

Paul Pogba: 6

Michael Carrick: 6

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 5

Marcus Rashford: 7

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 6

Substitutes:

Wayne Rooney (for Carrick, 46): 5

Chris Smalling (for Jones, 55): 5

Juan Mata (for Mkhitaryan, 61): 6

Hull

Eldin Jakupovic: 9

David Meyler: 7

Harry Maguire: 8

Michael Dawson: 8

Andrew Robertson: 7

Tom Huddlestone: 6

Sam Clucas: 6

Lazar Markovic: 7

Evandro: 6

Josh Tymon: 6

Oumar Niasse: 7

Substitutes:

Andrea Ranocchia (for Tymon, 67): 6

Abel Hernandez (for Niasse, 69): 6

Omar Elabdellaoui (for Evandro, 72): 6

Who’s up next?

Leicester v Manchester United (Premier League, February 5)

Hull v Liverpool (Premier League, February 4)