Hull City Six Head to Man United for Behind-Closed-Doors Friendly

Hull City will send six first-team players to Manchester United's Carrington training ground on Monday for a behind-closed-doors friendly against the Red Devils' Under-21 side. The game was arranged after last Tuesday's scheduled fixture with Championship side Lincoln City was cancelled, according to hulldailymail.co.uk.

  • Date: Monday (behind-closed-doors friendly)
  • Opponent: Manchester United Under-21s
  • Venue: Carrington training ground
  • Hull City players involved: Joe Gelhardt, Christos Mouzakitis, Lucas Gourna-Douath, Robinio Vaz, Jens Hjerto-Dahl, Paddy McNair
  • Reason: Valuable minutes after Lincoln City game cancelled

Team news

Players travelling to Manchester: Joe Gelhardt, Christos Mouzakitis, Lucas Gourna-Douath, Robinio Vaz, Jens Hjerto-Dahl, Paddy McNair.

Returning to full training: Nobel Mendy and Jack Butland, who are expected to be in the squad against Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Recent starting XI vs Brentford (1-1 draw): Tim Iroegbunam was handed a first start, with Ryan Giles and Elliot Stroud brought into the starting XI at the expense of Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Sorba Thomas and Matt Crooks. Morita came off the bench in the second half.

What was said

"Six players will go and play. Some players asked themselves if they could go and play. Paddy, Christos, Gourna, Jens, Joe Gelhardt, and Vaz, which is very good. We have to use this opportunity, and thank you to our Under-21 team for helping us with that."

— Hull City head coach Jakirovic

"Come on, who will complain? You think somebody will complain? You know how you played, if you watch. You are now waiting for another opportunity. I need every player here. Just one or two injuries, and everything is going to change. In December, we have a lot of games, every three or four days, so everyone will get the chance. I think the substitutions also gave us something."

— Jakirovic on squad rotation

"Maybe Morita, you see, it's been a long time since he last played, and he's not a robot, he's a human being. You need time, you need match fitness, you need rhythm to catch the rhythm. But OK, this is my problem, and I will try to solve this."

— Jakirovic on Morita

"The three players did well. Tim has been with us for two weeks already, so he has now consistency with training sessions because unfortunately, he had a problem after Newcastle with his MCL. The left side is good. We have speed there after, especially with Stroud at left wing-back, and then with Mohamed-Ali Cho, it's even more speed, so I'm happy with it."

— Jakirovic on Iroegbunam, Stroud and Cho

The numbers

Six first-team players will travel to Manchester United's Carrington training ground on Monday. The friendly was arranged after last Tuesday's game with Lincoln City was cancelled. Hull City drew 1-1 with Brentford at the MKM Stadium on Sunday. Tim Iroegbunam made his first start, while Ryan Giles and Elliot Stroud were recalled. Ilias Ansah's latest scan returned a positive outcome, and he is expected to return to full training in around six weeks.

How to watch

The friendly is behind closed doors at Manchester United's Carrington training ground, so there will be no live broadcast or ticket access for supporters. For all Hull City news and analysis, follow Hull Live's coverage.

Jakirovic uses Manchester trip to build match sharpness

Hull City head coach Jakirovic has moved quickly to fill the gap left by the cancellation of last Tuesday's friendly with Lincoln City. Sending six senior players to face Manchester United's Under-21s ensures that those on the fringes, and those returning from injury, can accumulate valuable minutes in a controlled environment. The decision reflects a pragmatic approach to a demanding Premier League schedule.

The group includes Joe Gelhardt, who came off the bench in the closing stages against Brentford and probably should have won it, with his strike from Mohamed-Ali Cho's pass going just wide of the post. Christos Mouzakitis and Robinio Vaz are also included, while Lucas Gourna-Douath is fit again after missing games with Everton and Fulham, though he wasn't involved on Sunday. Jens Hjerto-Dahl and Paddy McNair complete the six, with McNair returning to the club where he used to play.

Meanwhile, the return of Nobel Mendy and Jack Butland to full training is a timely boost, with both expected to be in the squad against Ipswich Town on Saturday. Tim Iroegbunam's first start against Brentford, following his MCL problem after Newcastle, and the recalls for Ryan Giles and Elliot Stroud, underline Jakirovic's willingness to rotate. The Croatian insists nobody complained about being dropped, and with a busy December ahead, every player will get their chance.

Talking points

  • Gelhardt's near miss: Joe Gelhardt came off the bench against Brentford and nearly won it with a strike from Mohamed-Ali Cho's pass that went just wide. The Manchester United friendly offers him a chance to sharpen his finishing.
  • Gourna-Douath's return: Lucas Gourna-Douath is fit again after missing games with Everton and Fulham, but wasn't involved on Sunday. The behind-closed-doors game will help him build match fitness.
  • Iroegbunam's progress: Tim Iroegbunam made his first start against Brentford after a two-week spell at the club, having overcome an MCL problem sustained after Newcastle. Jakirovic praised his consistency in training.

What happens next

Hull City will welcome back Nobel Mendy and Jack Butland to full training, with both expected to be in the squad for Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash with Ipswich Town at the MKM Stadium. The six players involved at Carrington will return to contention, while Ilias Ansah continues his recovery with a view to returning to full training in around six weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the six Hull City players travelling to Manchester United?

Joe Gelhardt, Christos Mouzakitis, Lucas Gourna-Douath, Robinio Vaz, Jens Hjerto-Dahl and Paddy McNair.

Why was the friendly arranged?

To give first-team players valuable minutes after last Tuesday's game with Championship side Lincoln City was cancelled.

When will Nobel Mendy and Jack Butland return?

Both are expected back in full training and in the squad for Saturday's game against Ipswich Town.

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