On Sunday 19th September Ole Gunnar Solskjær takes his tricky reds down to the London Stadium to face up against David Moyes’s West Ham. After a disappointing Champions League opening game, it will be good to get back to the Premier League. Manchester United currently sit top of the table with 10 points after 4 games. And hopefully can build on a solid start to the season with another 3 points.
However, West Ham could make this a somewhat difficult proposition. The Hammers are also unbeaten in the League thus far, with 2 wins and 2 draws putting them 8th in the table. After an excellent end to the last season saw them finish with a spot in the Europa League. They will be looking to kick on this season and continue putting pressure on the top teams. And these kind of positions seem to be where Moyes thrives the most. In the past 6 meetings Manchester United have won 4, drew 1 and lost 1 against West Ham. So by all rights Man United go into this as favourites.
West Ham like to play a very solid, defensively strong team that looks to block out chances and hit their opposition on the break. Their main outlets for this last season being Jesse Lingard and Michail Antonio. However on Sunday neither of those will be available. With Lingard’s loan spell ending and his return to Manchester United. And Antonio being suspended after a red card in a goalless draw against Southampton. This means that players such as Benrahma and Bowen will need to step up. They could draw on Yarmolenko to start up top for them on Sunday. Alternatively they could switch to a three at the back, with the width coming from Cresswell and Coufal. With a solid double pivot of Rice and Soucek. Fornals just ahead in the 10. With the two ahead being Benrahma and Bowen they could prove a tricky opposition for the Red Devils.
I think Solkjær will stick with his trust 4-2-3-1 formation, despite the rumours and murmurs around the 4-3-3 I can’t see it really playing out with the current midfield options. David de Gea in net seems a certainty at this point. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either Tom Heaton or Dean Henderson (fitness permitting) when we play West Ham in the League Cup next week. The back four still picks itself really. Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane are all certainties. I think despite his performance against Young Boys, I expect Aaron Wan-Bissaka to keep his place. As a double pivot I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ole opt for Matic and Fred. With the attacking options West Ham can have and McTominay most likely not being fully match fit. I think this is the defensive midfield that Ole knows and somewhat trusts at this point.
As we move further forward things get more exciting and more promising. With Cristiano Ronaldo up top. A three behind him of Paul Pogba on the left, Bruno in the 10 and either Greenwood or Sancho on the right hand side is very exciting. I think Mason will be given the nod given that he was rested on Tuesday against Young Boys. Although, Sancho did not play many minutes after the red card incident. So either would be a good option for Solskjær.
This should be enough to beat West Ham. However I don’t think this is going to be an easy win. I expect it to be a bit of a scrap with maybe a 1-0 or 2-1 win. It would be great to see Cristiano continue his goal scoring record in the Premier League. Hopefully his goals can bring Manchester Unite another vital three points.