United look to up the pressure at the top

Most people would have expected Manchester United to be preparing for a fourth round FA Cup tie tonight. However, as so often happens, most people would have been wrong. Instead of facing Spurs, Sir Alex Ferguson's boys are instead preparing to face Hull in the only Premier League clash of the weekend. Leeds, United's conquerors in the third round are in FA Cup action instead. However, it is highly unlikely that Sir Alex will let his thoughts wonder to cup even once during the course of his match with Hull? Why? Because the league clash presents an opportunity for United to put some extra pressure on their rivals. Man U can go top if they beat Hull, and as this Front Room blog points out that's something that shouldn't be beyond them. While Chelsea and Arsenal will obviously have a game in hand on United if this happens, Sir Alex won't grumble and will view it as points in the bag. The United manager knows from past experience that games in hand are of little value unless you win them. Of course, he won't be thinking that far ahead just yet and while most fans believe the Hull game is a formality Sir Alex will ensure that his team get out there and do a professional job.