The season is not even two months old and it already feels like it has been a roller-coaster ride. Sometimes you are at the top, and sometimes all you want to do is step out, throw up and get ready for the next ride… if there is one. That analogy should sum up Manchester United’s season perfectly.
The Red Devils have won three in a row headlined by their 3-0 UEFA Champions League win away at BSC Young Boys. However, they have not won since and are coming off a disappointing Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of Derby County. But the team must bounce back soon, and they will have the perfect opponent to do so when they take on West Ham United this Saturday. Michael Oliver will be the referee for this Saturday tilt at 12:30 BST.
Team News
Manchester United have almost the entire squad fit for this contest, as Mourinho reportedly has 24 players to choose from. The only two absentees will be Marcos Rojo, who remains injured, and Sergio Romero, who was sent off in the Carabao Cup match against Derby County earlier this week. Marcus Rashford will return from a three-game ban, and the remaining of the squad is fit and available for this one.
On the other hand, Jack Wilshere will remain out since he is recovering from an ankle surgery. So are long-term absentees Andy Carroll, Manuel Lanzini and Winston Reid. Carlos Sanchez appears as doubtful, too. However, the team could get a boost on the attack with the return of two players: Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic. The former Manchester United forward might return to the side after missing the past two games, while the Austrian will be a game-time decision due to a knee problem that has kept him out of the past two games. Arnautovic has three goals in five Premier League appearances this season.
Form guide
Manchester United’s recent form has been extremely inconsistent. The Red Devils are coming off two straight games without a win, and they need to bounce back soon if they want to avoid slipping further in the Premier League standings. Plus, United will be looking to clinch their fourth consecutive away win across all competitions, but for that to happen, United must play better than they did earlier this week against Derby. Their most-recent Premier League result was a 1-1 home draw against Wolverhampton this past weekend.
Have West Ham United turned a corner? That certainly seems to be the case if we look at their recent form. The Hammers lost their first four Premier League games, but are now undefeated in their last three across all competitions. They defeated Everton two weeks ago, held Chelsea to a draw this past Sunday, and delivered an 8-0 thrashing of League Two side Macclesfield Town. Without a doubt, they are a team on the rise. And one that should make things difficult for United.
What is our record against West Ham United in the past?
We have previously played against the Hammers on 139 occasions and over the years the Reds have the enjoyed the upper hand in the fixture, winning 65, losing 43 and drawing 31 games.
Last season, United escaped with a 0-0 draw at London Stadium but took care of business at Old Trafford winning 4-0.
Prediction
This is going to be a tough game for Manchester United. West Ham are a team on the rise, while The Red Devils have been extremely inconsistent. As such, I believe this tie at the London Stadium will end in a draw.
Leave a Reply