Manchester United 0-0 Hull City
- Published
- comments
Eldin Jakupovic made a string of fine saves as Hull frustrated Manchester United by claiming a goalless draw in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
The hosts dominated the match but could not find a way past the Tigers goalkeeper, who brilliantly kept out Zlatan Ibrahimovic's long-range strike and Paul Pogba's driving effort in the first half.
In between, Harry Maguire should have done better with a header which he put wide of goal.
Ibrahimovic hooked an effort wide in the second half and Jakupovic made his best save to prevent Juan Mata from scoring at the back post, as well as keeping out Paul Pogba's curler.
The visitors could have won it with five minutes to go, but on-loan Lazar Markovic's clipped shot came back off the post and Abel Hernandez struck tamely at David de Gea.
The point keeps United in sixth place, but allowed Hull to move off the bottom of the table.
Jakupovic is Hull's new hero
Jakupovic made a total of six saves, punching the air in delight with each effort he kept out and taking the acclaim of the jubilant away supporters at full-time.
Hull have shipped 47 goals this season - only Swansea (52) have conceded more in the division - and this was just their second clean sheet in 23 league games.
Asked by BBC Sport if it was his best game in a Hull shirt, Jakupovic replied: "I try to be my best for the team all the time but today I caught a good day.
"The striker celebrates when he scored, and I celebrated to myself with some saves."
United striker Ibrahimovic was not impressed by the Hull player's performance. The Swede said: "I did not see any chances where it was difficult for the goalkeeper. It was not a good save from Mata, it was a bad finish. Some saves he made for the cameras."
Missed opportunity for Mourinho's men
United had seen all the top four sides drop points in this round of fixtures as they chase a Champions League spot, but failed to capitalise even though they had 66% possession in the match.
Despite extending their run to 14 games unbeaten in the top-flight, they have drawn their last three games and are four points adrift of Liverpool in fourth place.
United only had themselves to blame in a wasteful performance. Marcus Rashford, who completed a full 90 minutes for the first time since November, highlighted his team's sloppiness by losing possession 21 times - more than any other player on the pitch.
Wayne Rooney was brought off the bench at half time, but failed to change the game, having become the club's leading all-time goal scorer in the previous league match at Stoke.
Tetchy Mourinho walks out of BBC interview
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho: "We didn't score. You don't score, it is not possible to win.
"Their goalkeeper was good.
"We needed to score, we needed more time to play. If you played 35-40 minutes in both halves, it is a lot. I think Hull City tried to see where they could go, the way they could behave and tried to see what the referee would allow them to do.
"They had the feedback and were comfortable to do what they did. I am not critical of that. They are fighting against relegation and every point is gold.
Asked by BBC commentator Martin Fisher what upset him about referee Mike Jones' performance: "If you do not know football, you should not have a microphone in your hand."
Can Hull stay up?
Before this game, Hull had lost nine straight away games, with their last point on their travels coming at Burnley in early September.
But under new boss Marco Silva they have shown enough improvement to suggest they can preserve their top-flight status.
The Portuguese has led Hull to a win and a draw in his first three games - with a defeat coming against leaders Chelsea - and lie four points away from safety.
Having beaten United in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final last week, Hull may even feel disappointed by not taking all three points with Markovic coming agonisingly close to clinching the winner late on.
However, striker Oumar Niasse was lucky not to be given a red card after making late challenges on Michael Carrick and Daley Blind, having earlier received a yellow card.
'Sometimes you have to suffer'
Hull boss Marco Silva: "It is a very good result for us against a very good team. We played like a team with great attitude, spirit and character. What we showed tonight again, I am happy.
"Sometimes you have to suffer in moments but we have to play as a team.
First Old Trafford shutout since 1952 - the stats
Manchester United are on the current longest unbeaten run in the Premier League this season (14 games - won seven, drawn seven).
Hull City have picked up just two points in their 10 Premier League meetings with Manchester United (won zero, drawn two, lost eight).
Man Utd have attempted 85 shots (including blocks) against newly promoted sides at Old Trafford this season but have found the net just twice.
This is the first time United have failed to beat two different newly promoted clubs at home in a Premier League season since 1994-95 (Nottingham Forest and Leicester).
Hull kept their first clean sheet at Old Trafford in all competitions since January 1952.
The Red Devils have only lost once in their last 20 home Premier League games (won 12, drawn seven) - against Manchester City in September 2016.
In fact, United have now gone unbeaten in 18 home games in all competitions (won 12, drawn six). It is their longest run since October 2011 (37 games).
Hull have won four points in three Premier League games under Marco Silva, one more than they managed in the previous nine under Mike Phelan.
What next?
United travel to champions Leicester City on Sunday (kick-off 16:00 GMT), while Hull host title challengers Liverpool on Saturday (15:00 GMT).