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It has banana pores and skin written throughout it. Manchester United welcome David Moyes’ West Ham to Outdated Trafford hoping to leapfrog them within the desk to sixth place.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. Stated 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 total show this season within the 4-3 victory over Wolves, this recreation guarantees to be an intriguing tactical battle.
Listed below are the areas the place this recreation might be gained or misplaced:
Casemiro vs James Ward-Prowse
A midfielder who’s vulnerable to giving freely fouls on a regular basis versus a participant who’s as near a assure on set-pieces as statistically attainable. What might presumably go improper?
So much, and one would presume that Erik ten Hag’s first instruction to his costs tomorrow could be to keep away from fouling West Ham gamers wherever close to their very own field.
His first shout will likely 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 staff leads the league on objectives from set-pieces which is a recipe for achievement for them contemplating the peak within the staff and Ward-Prowse.
They don’t want the ball a lot, they only want it static, and in the appropriate space.
A deep block vs United’s assault
This virtually appears like dishonest as a result of this can be a battle that may be inserted into any United recreation when they’re anticipated to boss possession.
United’s assault appears very one-dimensional, extraordinarily reliant on their pacy forwards operating into area behind the opposition. Earlier than the Wolves recreation, the place indicators of the outdated United had been again, via balls seemed like their solely supply of objectives.
Moyes, subsequently, is the worst match-up attainable for this staff. 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
Although 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 staff is arguably one which Ten Hag would look to use.
Rashford showed hints of getting back to his best in opposition to Wolves and there might be much better opponents to return up in opposition to than Ben Johnson.
Johnson doesn’t look snug 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 might be forgiven for considering that United’s strongest attacking flank can also be West Ham’s weakest defensive one.
That’s a chance they will’t afford to let go of.
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