Phil Brown has challenged his Hull players not to freeze on the big stage against champions Manchester United on Saturday (Man United 1/7 draw 5/1 Hull 12/1 Premier League – match betting).

Victory at Old Trafford in the day’s only Premier League fixture would life the Tigers out of the relegation zone (Hull 5/4 Premier League – To Stay Up) and KC Stadium boss Brown believes it is an ideal time to play Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

United were beaten 2-1 by local rivals Manchester City on Tuesday to leave their Carling Cup hopes in the balance and remain without key players such as Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Brown feels United could there for the taking and has told his Hull players to go and express themselves.

“We’re not going to go there looking to shut up shop and I’m not going to go there and ask my players not to play,” Brown said.

The Tigers claimed a precious point in a goalless draw against top-four hopefuls Tottenham last weekend and Brown wants more of the same collective spirit.

He added in the Hull Daily Mail: “The quality of defending on show last weekend was tremendous. There was a collective mentality and togetherness that made me very proud as a manager.

“I sat the players down on Wednesday and told them that but that’s what we’ll need every week between now and the end of the season.”

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