Big Game Preview: Manchester United vs West Ham United

By the end of this fixture West Ham United could be 3 points off 2nd place with a game in hand. Now this would rely on Leicester not beating a Sheffield United who have just lost their manager of five years two days before they play. Which although possible, is not likely. This would however establish the Hammers as serious contenders for the top 4 as the argue against them was that they’d struggle to get points against the top sides.

Manchester United have injury issues which will limit the options of who they can play for this match. Assuming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer isn’t lying, Matic playing in the midfield and Bailly playing at centre half are the only positions up for debate. For West Ham United I have gone I’ve taken a punt on a different style based on when they played Aston Villa and wanted to limit Jack Grealish, but to silence Luke Shaw.

For the Red Devils to win this game they are going to need to defend well from set pieces, attack Aaron Cresswell with pace and most importantly, make space for Bruno Fernandes. Which will be especially difficult considering the London side’s midfield partnership. Because of that, McTominay’s runs from deep will need to be well timed as that’ll free up the Portuguese talisman but also leave the back line open to a counterattack. Besides that, there isn’t much to say about United other than this will be a tough game and their young wingers will be given a real test that could help them take the right wing spot that has been up for grabs for the past few years.

For the most part, this West Ham side is easy to predict a line up for. The goalkeeper and first four defenders are an ever present at the moment, it just depends if the Hammers play a back four or five. I’ve predicted a back four, sort of. I accept I may be quite off with David Moyes plan but I think an outside shot at a 4-4-2 with Ben Johnson covering Luke Shaw, who has been immense for the Manchester side this season could be key to getting a clean sheet against the leagues second highest scorers. Reminiscent of Fredericks covering Jack Grealish when they last faced Aston Villa and of Seamus Coleman when Everton beat Liverpool in part thanks to the Irishman marking his the Scot, Andrew Robertson throughout the match. Worrying for Manchester United fans, if this works, we could see more sides setting up this way which will make trips to lower league sides even harder than they have been.

The other position where I there could be debate is between Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma. Both playes have had their good and quiet moments this season, but where I feel Bowen would work better is because the Algerian tends to try and run through the midfield and take shots from distance which play right into the hands of United’s pivot, who are great tacklers as well as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, possibly the best one on one defender in the league at the moment. Also, he hasn’t scored this season, so a long shot going in, would be a long shot. Bowen on the other hand is more willing to get into the box and play as a second striker which has gotten Jesse Lingard and the late arriving Tomas Soucek goals this season. Michail Antonio can battle with Victor Lindelof for aerial balls or running in behind and protecting the ball easily using his overpowering strength. Jarrod can then make runs or play a one-two to create a goals coring opportunity on the fast break, or occupy a centre half to give Antonio and Soucek more space in the box for the creativity of Pablo Fornals and Aaron Cresswell on the left. They can pass around Wan-Bissaka, avoiding his main strength to cerate opportunities which they have done brilliantly this season, making the England outsider West Ham’s top assister this season.

I feel the game will be tight and will likely be decided by a scrappy goal or a set piece. Last time I predicted a bit of magic from Manchester United they let me down, so this time I’m predicting a 0-1 win for West Ham United and an exiting battle for the top four to come.

Prediction: Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United