Match Preview: Manchester United vs West Ham
Manchester United vs West Ham | Premier League | Old Trafford | KO: 15:00 GMT
Had you had told me that come the new year United would be competing with West Ham for anything, I would’ve been a very worried man. However, it is to the Hammers’ credit that the Reds’ face a challenge to topple the East London side in the race for the top four.
United’s second-half vs Brentford in midweek showed great promise as a flurry of goals left Thomas Frank bitter. However, there is no doubting the fact that Ralf Rangnick’s men have to perform at a high level to be successful against a rampant David Moyes side.
How do Manchester United look?
Embed from Getty ImagesEvery game United play seems to carry a huge fallout. You could almost argue this is just and deserved as United should be performing at a level that far transcends current viewing. This week the talk has been about Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to being substituted at the 70th-minute mark.
For many, the substitution and the Portuguese’s obvious discontent was a footnote to an otherwise positive second half. However, just as you can expect from the media it was blown out of proportion. That didn’t stop Rangnick from sticking to his guns though as the German told the press:
“Of course, Cristiano is a prolific goalscorer and as a player will always want to play and score goals.
“He was also asking: ‘Why me? Why not take off one of the younger players?’The answer to that came five minutes later when one of the younger players scored the third goal. Maybe Cristiano could have also scored that third but football is not always about maybe.”
Rangnick also confirmed, Victor Lindelof would be unavailable after his family home was burgled. While the Swede, was in west London on Wednesday night, his wife and two young children were forced to lock themselves in a room. The German allowed the centre-back time with his family during an obviously distressing period.
Lindelof’s absence means Harry Maguire will most definitely return to the lineup after missing the last two fixtures due to injury. Jadon Sancho is another likely absentee due to personal reasons. While Paul Pogba returned to training this week, we are still unlikely to see the Frenchman in action until after the international break.
Opposition: West Ham
Embed from Getty Images“If David Moyes had never managed Manchester United before, they would try to get him right now”. Those were some of the words being uttered as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s impending sacking loomed. However true, it signals at the job Moyes has done at the London stadium. Rather unusually, their Europa League efforts haven’t hampered their league progress as they currently sit in fourth, two points above United.
Moyes has got his West Ham side dreaming of Champions League football, the likes of Jarrod Bowen is firing, Rice is dominating and the hammers are flying. Bowen has been involved in 13 goals in his last 18 games so will likely be the Hammers’ biggest threat going forward.
Tomas Soucek could be involved in the game after recovering from COVID-19. Kurt Zouma is another back in contention for the Hammers after returning to training this week.
Key Stats
Embed from Getty ImagesManchester United are unbeaten in their last 13 home fixtures against West Ham, the last defeat coming in 2007.
West Ham have already beaten United at Old Trafford this season, with their 1-0 victory coming in the Carabao Cup.
This is just the fifth time United play West Ham while the Hammers are ahead of the Reds in the table. West Ham have failed to beat United on every occasion while above them in the league.
Prediction
What we saw on Wednesday night, is what Rangnick wants from his side. The first half was flat, and United were second best in all areas. However, in the second United played with patterns and didn’t take their foot off the gas till they conceded the consolation.
Saying that United do seem to only perform in spells at the moment and a good side, which West Ham are will punish you. A draw seems likely, and perhaps the visitors will walk away the happier side.
Manchester United 2-2 West Ham
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