Another quick turnaround for Manchester United, as Old Trafford plays host to West Ham this Saturday afternoon. With the battle for top four so closely contested by multiple teams this game has become something of a six-pointer. Let’s have a look at what we might expect to see in this potentially season-defining clash.
Opposition
West Ham come into this game with pretty good form, better form that United at least. In their last six games in all competitions the Hammers have four wins and two losses. Whereas Manchester United on the other hand have three wins, two draws and one loss in their last six. In the league this season, West Ham have played 22 games. Of those they have eleven wins, four draws and seven losses. This puts them in fourth place, however that is only two points ahead of Manchester United who currently sit in seventh. This is what makes this such a big game.
David Moyes’ has favoured the 4-2-3-1 formation and will no doubt follow suit for his return to Old Trafford on Saturday. Starting with Lukasz Fabianski in goal. And then a back four comprised of Coufal, Dawson, Diop and Cresswell. A midfield pairing of Rice and Soucek. With the three in front being Fornals, Lanzini and Bowen. And Michail Antonio up top. We all know how this West Ham team like to play, using the wide areas and trying to control the game in the opposition’s half. And then the goal threat that Antonio possess, we’ve seen how well this West Ham team can play. I don’t expect anything different from them this weekend.
Manchester United
After a strong second half performance which brought the win for United against Brentford. Hopefully Rangnick and his team can come into this game with more confidence and more control than we have seen of late. I will get into my predicted lineup shortly, but I think sticking with the traditional width that we have played with and having players like Elanga and potentially Jadon Sancho doing what they do best will be vital to United’s success in this match.
With that in mind I expect Rangnick to stick with the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation as it has occasionally looked. David de Gea in goal is a certainty. And then a back four of Telles, Varane, Lindelöf and Dalot seems more likely to be the favoured option. I think that was a fairly solid combination against Brentford and having consistency is key with a defence so if we could see a run of games with this back four that would be good.
A midfield three of Fred, McTominay and Bruno Fernandes seems inevitable. If McTominay can have a performance here like in the second half against Brentford we should be able to take a grasp of what could be a really difficult game. And then with Bruno seemingly back to his best providing that creative spark. As mentioned earlier I think Anthony Elanga deserves another start on the left. And on the right I wouldn’t mind seeing Jadon Sancho if he is available although Mason Greenwood played quite well against Brentford as well. And up top I fully expect another start for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Score prediction
I am expecting a really close game here. It is going to be really tough for both teams. I don’t know why but I think United are going to keep a clean sheet. It’s not like much, if anything has evidenced that we are going to, but I have this sneaky feeling that we might nullify West Ham. And so I am predicting a 1-0 United win. Maybe not the brightest of performances but hopefully walking away with the all important three points.