Manchester United will return to Old Trafford on Sunday evening as we welcome fifth-placed West Ham United in this Premier League fixture. We currently sit second in the table and are 17 points behind league leaders and local rivals Manchester City. United are six points clear of the Hammers, who themselves are chasing a top-four spot.
The Red Devils come into this game having competed in the Europa League on Thursday evening. We conceded a late goal to draw the first leg of the last 16 tie against AC Milan. It leaves the return match in Italy finely poised as we look to go to the San Siro and get the victory to secure passage to the quarter-finals.
Last weekend in the Premier League, we had ended our local rivals Manchester City’s 21-game winning run. It was thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw that saw us put in an impressive performance at the Etihad. Despite the victory, City returned to winning ways by beating Southampton and Fulham respectively meaning we are 17 points behind them. The challenge for the title is over but the all-important aim is now to secure a spot inside the top four.
Whilst we have an FA Cup quarter-final tie away to Leicester City next weekend, United’s focus should remain on the league as the race for the top four intensifies. Leicester City, Chelsea, West Ham, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are all pushing to secure a spot.
In the Premier League, United only has the sixth-best record at Old Trafford this season. We dropped points in seven of our 13 home games. However, we have gained victories in the last two of three home games including a 3-1 win over Newcastle United.
Opposition Preview
West Ham will arrive at Old Trafford after securing an excellent 2-0 win away to Leeds United on Monday night. Craig Dawson and on loan Jesse Lingard getting on the scoresheet. The Hammers have won the last three of four league matches as they still remain in contention to secure a place in the top four. They are just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and with a game in hand.
West Ham has the second-best home record in the league this season behind league leaders Manchester City. They have dropped points in seven of their 13 games away from the London Stadium. The Hammers have lost to United twice already this season with a 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup back in February and in the reverse league fixture in December losing 3-1.
West Ham has not won at Old Trafford in the Premier League since May 2007, when Carlos Tevez scored the winner that kept the Hammers up that season.
Manchester United vs West Ham United Match Details
Teams: Manchester United vs West Ham United
Date: March 14th, 2020 (Sunday)
KO Time: 19:15 GMT
Competition: Premier League
Stadium: Old Trafford
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Managers: Ole Gunnar Solskjær and David Moyes
Manchester United Team News
United are without a number of players including Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Phil Jones. Doubts remain if Donny Van De Beek will make the squad for the visit of West Ham. Marcus Rashford might be available after he looks to overcome issues with his ankle after picking up a knock during the Manchester Derby.
Anthony Martial had to come off at half-time during the Europa League tie against AC Milan due to a hip injury. Edison Cavani is not likely to feature after not overcoming his knock. This will mean that Mason Greenwood will be leading the attacking line.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær has confirmed that goalkeeper David De Gea is back in Manchester after returning from Spain following the birth of his child. He is having to self isolate meaning Dean Henderson will continue in goal. Luke Shaw, Fred and Victor Lindelof are expected to return to the starting eleven for this match. Amad Diallo who scored against Milan on Thursday might be given his first start if Marcus Rashford cannot prove his fitness in time.
Manchester United vs West Ham United Pre-Match Press Conference
During the pre-match press conference, Ole was asked how Jesse Lingard’s loan deal at West Ham has been good for him. He responded, “Yes for Jesse it has really worked out. For David (Moyes) it has really worked out and for us as a club as well because we know that Jesse’s position is a 10 and we have got Bruno there so for me it was a no-brainer to get Jesse a chance to prove himself and to play some football again and he has been really bright for them and he’s finally back to himself.”
Ole was also asked about our opponents and how well they have done so far this season. He said, “They have been brilliant. We played them in the FA Cup not long ago as well and we went to extra time. It was a tight even game. He has got players who score goals, creative, they defend really well and are really difficult on set plays. David has done a tremendous job that we know he is capable of. I’m very happy for him and we know this is a big game for us. Maybe it is too far ahead to City so we have to consolidate our place in the top two or three hopefully.”
West Ham United Team News
For our opponents, they will be without Arthur Masuaku, Angelo Ogbonna and Andriy Yarmolenko, Darren Randolph who remained sidelined through injury. There is a doubt Ryan Fredericks will feature as he continues his recovery.
West Ham will have to do without Jesse Lingard as he is ineligible to play against his parent club. This would see Jarrod Bowen coming in his place. David Moyes might decide to use a back three against the Red Devils with Ben Johnson as left-wing back meaning Aaron Cresswell pushes further forward. Craig Dawson and Issa Diop will lead the middle of the defence. Declan Rice and Thomas Soucek will be the two central midfielders for the Hammers.
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: DDWDDW
Manchester United form (all competitions): WDDDWD
West Ham Premier League form: WDWWLW
West Ham form (all competitions): DLWWLW
Interesting Facts
- Manchester United is looking to complete their first league double over West Ham since 2013-14, when they were managed by current Hammers boss David Moyes. (source: Opta).
- Manchester United have netted 15 goals in their last three home Premier League games (W2 D1), scoring at least three times in each game. They last scored 3+ goals in four home games in a row between May and September 2011 under Sir Alex Ferguson. (source: Opta).
- Manchester United is looking to keep four consecutive league clean sheets under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the first time, last doing so in January 2018 under José Mourinho. (source: Opta).
- Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes has scored in each of the first 11 calendar months he’s made an appearance in the Premier League (February 2020 – March 2021), becoming the first player to achieve that feat since Charlie Austin between August 2014 and January 2016. (source: Opta)
Manchester United vs West Ham United Predicted Lineup
Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, James, and Greenwood.
Prediction
United will have to be wary of the threat that West Ham can pose. They have had a good season so far and have to be taken seriously as they look to mount their own challenge on the top four. With Chelsea drawing at Leeds United, a victory for United will enable us to pull away from the hunting pack. We have a number of injuries to key players and so it will be up to players who haven’t had much game time recently to step up.
Predicted Score
Manchester United 2-1 West Ham United
