Hull boss Phil Brown believes his team can take much encouragement from their stormy defeat at Arsenal last week.

Brown's side were beaten 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in a game marred by an ugly melee involving 21 players.

Yet despite the Gunners missing another couple of gilt-edged opportunities, Brown felt the scoreline was harsh on Hull and is in positive mood ahead of Sunday's daunting clash against Manchester United.

Brown said: "We are not going to focus on any negatives.

"If you concentrate your energies on the scoreline against Arsenal it suggests you are going to be negative.

"But if you concentrate your efforts on the performance against Arsenal, there are an awful lot of positives; the workrate, the togetherness, the formation and the organisation.

"You just want a bit of luck and a decision to go your way. Unfortunately we didn't get that."

Hull revived their Barclays Premier League campaign with an uplifting run of results in November but have now gone four games without a win and are amid a tough run of fixtures.

City travel to relegation rivals Bolton two days after the United clash and then face Chelsea, Tottenham and the champions again in January.

Brown is not fazed by the schedule and draws encouragement from United's 3-0 loss to Fulham last weekend.

He said: "If we can perform the way we did against Arsenal, and hopefully get that strong referee I've been crying out for at the KC Stadium, then who knows? We might be able to compound Manchester United's defeat against Fulham.

"They will be like a wounded animal and they have great quality in depth, but it is an opportunity. We just want players to grab that opportunity."

Wolves recently made 10 changes for game against United in order rest players for a game against Burnley perceived as more winnable.

Hull's trip to Bolton presents a similar scenario but Brown is not likely to follow Wolves boss Mick McCarthy's example in his selection for the United game.

He said: "The first team will be full strength and we will see what happens on Sunday.

"Every game is an opportunity as far as I am concerned, it doesn't matter who you are playing.

"The next game is an opportunity to put our best foot forward and try to get three points."

Hull will have Nick Barmby available after the former England international overcame a calf injury.