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It has banana pores and skin written throughout it. Manchester United welcome David Moyes’ West Ham to Previous Trafford hoping to leapfrog them within the desk to sixth place.
The Hammers are unbeaten of their final 5 however the final three of these have been attracts. Mentioned Benrahma was offered to Lyon within the switch window however Kalvin Phillips has had a sterling begin to his profession on the Olympic Stadium.
With United trying to construct on what was arguably their finest general show this season within the 4-3 victory over Wolves, this sport guarantees to be an intriguing tactical battle.
Listed below are the areas the place this sport might be gained or misplaced:
Casemiro vs James Ward-Prowse
A midfielder who’s vulnerable to making a gift of fouls on a regular basis versus a participant who’s as near a assure on set-pieces as statistically potential. What might probably go flawed?
Loads, and one would presume that Erik ten Hag’s first instruction to his fees tomorrow could be to keep away from fouling West Ham gamers wherever close to their very own field.
His first shout will probably be directed at Casemiro, who will come up instantly in opposition to Ward Prowse and is trigger-happy for fouls. In Kudus and “JWP”, Casemiro and Mainoo could have their palms full with the Hammers’ superior midfielders.
Moyes’s group leads the league on targets from set-pieces which is a recipe for fulfillment for them contemplating the peak within the group and Ward-Prowse.
They don’t want the ball a lot, they only want it static, and in the precise space.
A deep block vs United’s assault
This virtually looks like dishonest as a result of it is a battle that may be inserted into any United sport when they’re anticipated to boss possession.
United’s assault appears very one-dimensional, extraordinarily reliant on their pacy forwards operating into house behind the opposition. Earlier than the Wolves sport, the place indicators of the previous United have been again, by way of balls regarded like their solely supply of targets.
Moyes, due to this fact, is the worst match-up potential for this group. West Ham will keep deep and compact, urging United to beat them off the dribble or with a second of magic.
With out fixed on and off-the-ball motion, the sport might be a chore for United’s assault.
Ben Johnson vs Marcus Rashford
Despite the fact that the second level above covers the problem United’s assault faces holistically, this deserves particular point out. Ben Johnson has performed solely 4 league video games this season as a right-back and his place within the group is arguably one which Ten Hag would look to use.
Rashford confirmed hints of getting again to his finest in opposition to Wolves and there might be much better opponents to come back up in opposition to than Ben Johnson.
Johnson doesn’t look comfy on the ball so if Rashford presses with the identical depth as he did in opposition to Wolves, there might be transition alternatives for United in opposition to a scrambled defence.
Moreover, Rashford could have a transparent tempo benefit and with Shaw overlapping, Ten Hag may be forgiven for considering that United’s strongest attacking flank can also be West Ham’s weakest defensive one.
That’s a chance they’ll’t afford to let go of.
