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Preview: Man United and West Ham close out the Premier League’s midweek round

Preview: Man United and West Ham close out the Premier League’s midweek round

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Two Portuguese tacticians will be in the dugout to battle it out for an important three points, with United looking to avenge last season’s Hammer blow at Old Trafford.

By Filip Mishov

Ruben Amorim’s inconsistent team owe Old Trafford a win

Manchester United’s Jekyll and Hyde form continues and after the humiliating loss to 10-man Everton at Old Trafford, followed a comeback win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, ending the FA Cup winners’ 12-match unbeaten home run in the Premier League. Even though Ruben Amorim was not too complimentary of the squad’s overall performance, the Portuguese coach praised the second half improvement, with Joshua Zirkzee earning a deserved mention.

Now, the Red Devils welcome the Hammers before travelling to Molineux Stadium next Monday, and if Bruno Fernandes & co. want to prove their turnaround in form is genuine, embarking on a winning streak ahead of the festive schedule is the only way to convince the doubters.

West Ham’s toothless display against the Premier League champions provided further evidence of their struggles, especially in attack, where Nuno Espírito Santo‘s squad recorded an incredibly low xG (0.29) and failed to create a single big chance. Furthermore, the Irons possess the fifth-lowest-scoring attack (15 goals) as well as the second-worst defence (27 conceded) after 13 matches played, and there is not much to be optimistic about at the moment. However, the travelling Londoners must hope the players can draw inspiration from last season’s success, when West Ham left the Theatre of Dreams victorious for the first time in 17 years.

Key players

Matthijs de Ligt is the most reliable defender in Manchester United’s backline this season, and Amorim is finally reaping the rewards of putting full trust in the Dutch centre-back who started each and every match of the Premier League campaign. Also, the 26-year-old is averaging 5.2 clearances per 90, making him the squad’s top-rated defender this season, with a FotMob rating of 6.97, and his recall to the Netherlands team was inevitable ahead of the World Cup.

De Ligt’s defensive numbers in the Premier league this season

West Ham’s Premier League survival might come down to the form Jarrod Bowen, as the England man remains is the club’s most important player. The winger leads the club rankings in goals + assists (4) and is averaging 2.4 shots per 90, making him a clear danger for Patrick Dorgu or Diogo Dalot, and Nuno would be silly not to try and exploit United’s weakness on the lefthand side with former United player Aaron Wan-Bissaka backing up and overlapping to help the West Ham captain.

Team news

The return of Mattheus Cunha is eagerly awaited and the Brazilian is back in first team’s training after missing the past couple of matches due to a head injury. Benjamin Šeško is still out and in his press conference, Amorim would not expand on rumours around other injury doubts in the squad.

Lucas Paquetá‘s moment of madness (two yellow cards for dissent in 54 seconds vs. Liverpool) only adds to the Hammers woes and the midfield maestro is set to serve a one-match suspension. He will be joining Oliver Scarles and Crysencio Summerville on the sidelines, the other injured absentees.

Predictions

The Red Devils have an obligation to make it up to their home support for their last disappointing outing at Old Trafford, and given the Hammers’ form and the hosts’ fruitful attack, I expect Manchester United to get a win which might lift them in to the top five and the battle for the Champions League places.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Man United and West Ham close out the Premier League’s midweek round

Two Portuguese tacticians will be in the dugout to battle it out for an important three points, with United looking to avenge last season’s Hammer blow at Old Trafford.

By Filip Mishov

Ruben Amorim’s inconsistent team owe Old Trafford a win

Manchester United’s Jekyll and Hyde form continues and after the humiliating loss to 10-man Everton at Old Trafford, followed a comeback win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, ending the FA Cup winners’ 12-match unbeaten home run in the Premier League. Even though Ruben Amorim was not too complimentary of the squad’s overall performance, the Portuguese coach praised the second half improvement, with Joshua Zirkzee earning a deserved mention.

Now, the Red Devils welcome the Hammers before travelling to Molineux Stadium next Monday, and if Bruno Fernandes & co. want to prove their turnaround in form is genuine, embarking on a winning streak ahead of the festive schedule is the only way to convince the doubters.

West Ham’s toothless display against the Premier League champions provided further evidence of their struggles, especially in attack, where Nuno Espírito Santo‘s squad recorded an incredibly low xG (0.29) and failed to create a single big chance. Furthermore, the Irons possess the fifth-lowest-scoring attack (15 goals) as well as the second-worst defence (27 conceded) after 13 matches played, and there is not much to be optimistic about at the moment. However, the travelling Londoners must hope the players can draw inspiration from last season’s success, when West Ham left the Theatre of Dreams victorious for the first time in 17 years.

Key players

Matthijs de Ligt is the most reliable defender in Manchester United’s backline this season, and Amorim is finally reaping the rewards of putting full trust in the Dutch centre-back who started each and every match of the Premier League campaign. Also, the 26-year-old is averaging 5.2 clearances per 90, making him the squad’s top-rated defender this season, with a FotMob rating of 6.97, and his recall to the Netherlands team was inevitable ahead of the World Cup.

De Ligt’s defensive numbers in the Premier league this season

West Ham’s Premier League survival might come down to the form Jarrod Bowen, as the England man remains is the club’s most important player. The winger leads the club rankings in goals + assists (4) and is averaging 2.4 shots per 90, making him a clear danger for Patrick Dorgu or Diogo Dalot, and Nuno would be silly not to try and exploit United’s weakness on the lefthand side with former United player Aaron Wan-Bissaka backing up and overlapping to help the West Ham captain.

Team news

The return of Mattheus Cunha is eagerly awaited and the Brazilian is back in first team’s training after missing the past couple of matches due to a head injury. Benjamin Šeško is still out and in his press conference, Amorim would not expand on rumours around other injury doubts in the squad.

Lucas Paquetá‘s moment of madness (two yellow cards for dissent in 54 seconds vs. Liverpool) only adds to the Hammers woes and the midfield maestro is set to serve a one-match suspension. He will be joining Oliver Scarles and Crysencio Summerville on the sidelines, the other injured absentees.

Predictions

The Red Devils have an obligation to make it up to their home support for their last disappointing outing at Old Trafford, and given the Hammers’ form and the hosts’ fruitful attack, I expect Manchester United to get a win which might lift them in to the top five and the battle for the Champions League places.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings. Download the free app here.