Manchester United’s past and future were on show as debutant James Wilson scored twice in a 3-1 win over Hull last night that marked the end of stalwart Nemanja Vidic’s Old Trafford career and set tongues wagging about Ryan Giggs.
Wilson, 19 years old and one of two debutants on show, scored in each half before Matty Fryatt pulled one back for Hull and Robin van Persie added a third for United in their final home game of a turbulent season.
Wilson stole the headlines, but the night belonged to those at the other ends of their careers.
Vidic, who is leaving for Inter at the end of the campaign, played his final home match and Giggs, currently the interim boss, swapped his club suit for a tracksuit and made a substitute appearance that many speculate could be his last.
Manchester United’s James Wilson (right) scores his second goal against Hull City.United stay seventh in the table with 63 points, three behind sixth-place Tottenham Hotspur. Hull, who take on Arsenal in the FA Cup final on May 17, stay 15th.
Today, Manchester City can move two points clear at the top of the standings, with just a game to play, if they beat Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s position has been enhanced after Liverpool squandered a chance to apply considerable pressure on Monday night.
The Reds surrendered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 at Crystal Palace, a result which cost them the chance to move three points ahead.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “We prepare exactly the same as we prepare for all the games during the year. We know the next game is the most important game.
“We are not going to win the Premier League if we beat Villa. We must win this match and then we will see what happens on Sunday.”
Pellegrini does not accept the claim of his Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers that the race is now over, even though the initiative is now clearly with City.
He said: “I really don’t know what Brendan said. I only know we have two games and we have to win the game against Aston Villa.
“At the end of the week we will see which team has more points.”
Premier League
Man. United 3
Wilson 31, 61; Van Persie 87;
Hull City 1
Fryatt 63;
HT: 1-0. Att: 75,347.
Standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Liverpool | 37 | 25 | 6 | 6 | 99 | 49 | 81 |
| Man. City | 36 | 25 | 5 | 6 | 96 | 37 | 80 |
| Chelsea | 37 | 24 | 7 | 6 | 69 | 26 | 79 |
| Arsenal | 37 | 23 | 7 | 7 | 66 | 41 | 76 |
| Everton | 37 | 20 | 9 | 8 | 59 | 39 | 69 |
| Tottenham | 37 | 20 | 6 | 11 | 52 | 51 | 66 |
| Man. United | 37 | 19 | 6 | 12 | 63 | 42 | 63 |
| Southampton | 37 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 53 | 45 | 55 |
| Newcastle | 37 | 15 | 4 | 18 | 42 | 57 | 49 |
| Stoke City | 37 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 43 | 51 | 47 |
| C. Palace | 37 | 13 | 5 | 19 | 31 | 46 | 44 |
| West Ham | 37 | 11 | 7 | 19 | 40 | 49 | 40 |
| Swansea | 37 | 10 | 9 | 18 | 51 | 53 | 39 |
| Aston Villa | 36 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 39 | 54 | 38 |
| Hull City | 37 | 10 | 7 | 20 | 38 | 51 | 37 |
| West Brom | 36 | 7 | 15 | 14 | 42 | 55 | 36 |
| Sunderland | 36 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 38 | 57 | 35 |
| Norwich City | 37 | 8 | 9 | 20 | 28 | 60 | 33 |
| Fulham | 37 | 9 | 4 | 24 | 38 | 83 | 31 |
| Cardiff City | 37 | 7 | 9 | 21 | 31 | 72 | 30 |
Next fixtures
Playing today: 20.45 Man. City vs Aston Villa; Sunderland vs West Brom.
Sunday: 16.00 Cardiff vs Chelsea; Fulham vs C. Palace; Hull vs Everton; Liverpool vs Newcastle; Man. City vs West Ham; Norwich vs Arsenal; Southampton vs Man. United; Sunderland vs Swansea; Tottenham vs Aston Villa; West Brom vs Stoke.