Afternoon all. We've now reached the stage of the season where the Premier League table is starting to take shape and here we focus on sides with two very different battles on their hands - Champions League-hunting Manchester United vs. relegation-threatened Hull City at Old Trafford. There's plenty riding on it for both teams, that's for sure.

Let's begin, as always, with a look at the team news, starting with hosting United. Does Van Persie start? That's the big question...

MAN UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Carrick, Rojo; Fellaini, Mata, Di Maria, Young; Rooney, Van Persie

MAN UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, Blackett, McNair, Fletcher, Herrera, Januzaj, Falcao

As you can see, Van Persie does indeed start, with Radamel Falcao beginning the contest on the bench. As for youngster James Wilson, there is a suggestion that he is injured and so does not feature at all in the squad. Elsewhere, it seems that Michael Carrick may be filling in as either part of a back three or four. Juan Mata has come in for Tyler Blackett, with Ashley Young starting in place of the injured Luke Shaw.

And now for the visiting Tigers...

HULL XI: McGregor; Chester, Dawson, Davies; Elmohamady, Robertson; Livermore, Diame, Ben Arfa, Brady; Jelavic

HULL SUBS: Jakupovic, Rosenior, Bruce, Myler, Huddlestone, Aluko, Quinn

So, just two changes from Hull boss Bruce, who has recalled the fit again Mohamed Diame. He has taken the place of Tom Huddlestone, while a reshuffle has seen former United trainee James Chester replace the suspended Gaston Ramirez. It looks like Bruce has stuck with the 3-5-1-1 formation, with Hatem Ben Arfa offering the support to lone striker Nikica Jelavic.

And here are the two teamsheets, courtesy of Hull's official Twitter page:

Looking at that United side in a bit more depth, it seems increasingly likely that Van Gaal has plumped for the 3-5-2, with Carrick the central of three defenders. Marcos Rojo, who has made a speedy recovery from a dislocated shoulder, will play to the left, with Chris Smalling right. It's yet another defensive combination for United.

And here's a picture from inside that United dressing room, courtesy of Fellaini. No doubt United fans will be pleased to see Falcao back involved following his recent layoff:

Right, what have the two managers had to say about this contest, then? Let's begin with Bruce, who is still looking for his win at Old Trafford as a manager:

"I think I'm due a result and maybe without Sir Alex being there, I might have a chance. I've been going a long time and I've never been able to beat them. I've had a couple of draws but that's about it. I need everyone to play to a level that will cause Manchester United problems and hopefully we can catch them on a bit of an off-day."

Meanwhile, Van Gaal has been full of praise for his opposite number Bruce, who made over 400 appearances for the Red Devils. Today is also Bruce's 700th game as a manager:

"Seven hundred games, that means he is a good manager. He was an ex-player here and I have seen him playing at Manchester United. He was very firm. He was also a leader. Mostly players who are leaders shall become managers.

VIDEO PREVIEW! So, we've heard from the two gaffers, now let's see what Sports Mole's sofa duo Pascal Lemesre and Barney Corkhill have to say about this contest:

I talked of landmarks for Hull boss Bruce moments ago, but it's also a big afternoon for United wideman Antonio Valencia. The Ecuadorian, who arrived at Old Trafford from Wigan Athletic in 2009, will make his 200th appearance for the Red Devils today:

HEAD TO HEAD: Supporters of Hull, you may want to avert your eyes for a few minutes! The Tigers have never won in any of their 14 visits to Old Trafford. What's more, they have not emerged victorious from this contest since 1974, when they ran out 2-0 winners in a Division Two clash.

PREDICTION: As Barney stated in the video below, United have not won three successive Premier League games in 2014. Well, they won't have many better chances. Hull have recorded just two victories this term and are without a win in their last five games. Will that form continue? It's hard to look beyond United in all honesty, even with yet more defensive changes. Let's go for 3-1 to the hosts, with Falcao coming off the bench to find the net.

Here are a couple of tweets from the Manchester Evening News's Rob Dawson, which confirms that United will be playing 3-5-2, with Carrick at centre-back and Fellaini holding in midfield:

STAT! Here's another statistic that doesn't read too favourably for those of a Hull persuasion, courtesy of BBC Sport: "Man United have won all six Premier League meetings against Hull. They have scored three goals or more in five of those matches."

Here's a great picture of Van Gaal watching his players warm-up, thanks to United's official Twitter page:

Right, the players are filtering into the Old Trafford tunnel and will be heading onto the pitch very shortly. Not long now until we are off and running.

Handshakes done - only a couple of minutes now until proceedings are underway.

KICKOFF! Hosting United, attacking from left to right in the first half, get this contest at Old Trafford off and running.

Remember all that talk about United playing 3-5-2? Well, scrap that! They've started in a 4-4-2 formation, with Young left-back and Valencia right-back. It means that Carrick is in midfield, with Rojo and Smalling the centre-backs. No idea why they were warming-up with 3-5-2 earlier on! No chances so far, although Di Maria has forced a corner, which came to nothing.

There's an opening for United as Davies gifts possession to Di Maria on the halfway line and the Argentine, with Rooney for company, sprints forward. However, a retreating Livermore shows good pace to get his body in the way and win back possession for Hull.

CHANCE! Positive stuff from Rooney as he cuts in from the left and goes for goal 20 yards out. There's plenty of curl on the United skipper's effort, but not quite enough as the ball skids an inch or two wide of McGregor's upright.

Some potentially bad news for United because Di Maria is limping to the touchline for treatment on what looks like a hamstring problem. He's just come back on, but United will be keen for him not to aggravate the complaint further.

MAN UNITED SUB: And it's another injury for United and Van Gaal to contend with. Di Maria limps off holding his right hamstring and he's been replaced by Ander Herrera. That's a potentially huge blow for the home side.

They needed goal-line technology, but United lead! Hull fail to clear Rooney's corner as McGregor palms the ball to Smalling six yards from goal, the United defender powers a volley goalwards. The Hull keeper scrambles it away, but technology shows that the ball had crossed the line. That was a close one - a year ago, there's every chance that it wouldn't have stood! It's all a bit messy, but United are in front.

There is of course a long way to go, but United look extremely comfortable out there at present. They are passing the ball around with real authority, almost toying with the Hull rearguard.

SAVE! There's a good opening for Hull, but it drops to the wrong player as far as they are concerned. A deep cross breaks for centre-back Dawson, who goes for an instant volley. He only succeeds in bouncing his effort into the ground, though, which makes it a routine stop for De Gea.

Now's it Rooney's turn to limp! More bad news for United? He's coming back on after receiving treatment on his ankle, but it's another headache for Van Gaal!

It seems that Rooney is fine after that kick to the ankle that he received from Brady. He's moving relatively freely and is no longer limping. No doubt that's caused a sigh of relief from Van Gaal.

While Bruce will have expected United to dominate the possession, he is bound to be disappointed by what his Hull side have done with the ball once they have claimed it. On too many occasions they've been wasteful, which places more pressure on the defence. They need to do much better.

CHANCE! Almost a brace for Smalling! Fantastic work from Mata on the right byline sees him drill a cross towards the near post. Smalling is the first to react, but his effort is deflected into the side netting by alert Hull defender Dawson. Half of the Old Trafford faithful thought that it was in!

HULL SUB: Well, this will be a painful one for Ben Arfa. He hasn't been tracking back and Bruce has been visibly angered by that. Off comes the Newcastle loanee, who has been replaced by Sone Aluko.

SAVE! Lovely move from United which involves the likes of Fellaini, Rooney and Herrera. It releases Van Persie, but he cannot quite get the ball out of his feet in enough time, which means that his tame right-footed effort is collected by McGregor. Nonetheless, that's very neat play from the dominant home side.

MATCH ACTION! Here is Smalling putting United in front:

Three minutes before the break, United have breathing space. Davies fails to clear Herrera's knockdown, which Van Persie lays into the path of Rooney. Even from 25 yards out, the United captain gives McGregor the eyes and he wrong foots the Scot with a sublime curling effort inside the near post. That's a really good finish from the man in form. It looks a long way back for Hull now.

There will be three additional minutes at the end of this first half.

There goes the whistle on what has arguably been the best 45 minutes of football that United have produced all season, with the only downside being that injury to Di Maria.

In the days leading up to this game, Van Gaal urged his players to start putting some comprehensive wins on the board. Today, it seems that they have listened because they are well on their way to a comfortable victory. The movement and passing has been slick and purposeful, while on the rare occasion that they've been called into action, the defence has been solid. 'More of the same' is bound to be the message being drilled into them by their Dutch manager during the break.

As for Bruce, he will probably have a few choice words for his team. In possession, the ball has been too easily given away, while both goals could have been avoided with more assured defending. It was always going to be a tough game, but Hull have made it harder for themselves. Still, United have shown their vulnerabilities this season and if Hull can somehow score the next goal, it will be game on. Major improvements are needed, though.

And before we get back underway at Old Trafford, here's a picture of Rooney make it 2-0 to United.

RESTART! Hull, who trail 2-0, get proceedings back underway. No changes for either side.

BOOKING! The first yellow card of the contest goes to United and Fellaini, who tugged back Brady on the byline.

Moments after he goes into the book, Fellaini rides his luck with a high-booted challenge on Diame. A foul is given, but referee Anthony Taylor resists the urge to show the United midfielder a second yellow card. You get the feeling it's his last chance, though. Perhaps Van Gaal may opt to substitute him soon?

CHANCE! Positive work from Hull left-back Robertson, who wins possession from Fellaini and drives forward. The United defence splits for him and he accept the invitation by shooting. However, his right-footed effort goes wide. Encouraging signs for the away team, though.

BOOKING! A caution for Hull on this occasion as Chester is punished for a late sliding challenge on Young. The clearest yellow card that you will see all weekend!

Great football all round as Carrick's cross is met by a diving Van Persie header, only for McGregor to pull off a stunning save. It wouldn't have counted because the United striker was flagged offside, but top stuff from all three players!

To be fair to Hull, they've put up much more of a fight in this second half, but they are struggling to carve out any real openings. Half a chance has just been presented to Jelavic, but from distance he heads well over.

A big cheer from the Old Trafford faithful goes up as Falcao comes out to warm-up. It probably will not be long before we see the Colombian on the pitch, most likely in place of Van Persie.

BOOKING! Another caution for Hull and this time it's Dawson that gets his name taken down. It comes for a blatant foul on Van Persie, who was almost through on goal.

Boy did Van Persie need that! His boss was critical of his performance at Arsenal last week, but he's responded in the best way possible. Herrera wins possession deep in Hull territory and picks out Van Persie 25 yards from goal. He skips beyond Chester and then with plenty of power, lashes his shot rising into the roof of McGregor's net. Will that spark a positive run of form from the Dutchman? We shall see.

MAN UNITED SUB: A huge cheer for Van Persie as he comes off, with Falcao replacing the Dutch striker. It seems that Van Gaal wants more goals in the closing stages.

MAN UNITED SUB: Final change of the encounter for United as Fletcher comes on for Valencia. It means that Smalling has gone to right-back, Carrick at centre-back and Fletcher goes in midfield.

HULL CITY SUBS: Now it's Hull's turn to make a switch as Brady comes off, with David Meyler taking his place. Stephen Quinn has also entered the action as Diame takes his leave. Both sides have made all three of their permitted substitutions now.

SAVE! It's the first real piece of work for De Gea and he does it comfortably. Jelavic gets up above Smalling at the back post, but his downward header is routinely held by United's Spanish custodian.

It seems that both sides have accepted the outcome now. In terms of possession, United are passing the ball around with ease. It has the feeling of a training match, although Falcao is looking extremely lively. Obviously the Colombian is determined to make up for some lost time!

MATCH ACTION! He's sitting on the bench now, but here is Van Persie celebrating the goal which is bound to have done wonders for his confidence:

This game is now dwindling to a conclusion. Hull have looked done for some time now, while United appear to be content with their three goals and clean sheet.

BOOKING! Cynical stuff from United's Argentine defender Rojo, who brings down Aluko on the right wing.

OFF THE LINE! How has Falcao not scored?! He does brilliantly initially to pick out Mata, but when the ball is pulled back to him, his effort is stopped on the line by a retreating Dawson. Great defending, but the United substitute should have scored. Incidentally, we will have three minutes of stoppage time.

There goes the final whistle, telling us what we've known for some time now - United have ran out comfortable winners over Hull at Old Trafford for their third victory on the bounce. Van Gaal is bound to be pleased with what he saw from his players, while their is plenty to ponder for former United defender and Hull boss Bruce.

That is all we have time for from Old Trafford. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and be sure to stick with Sports Mole over the course of the evening for analysis, player ratings and match reaction. Until next time, goodbye.