West Ham United take on Manchester United on Matchday 5. With both teams off to positive starts in the league, both will want a win to keep their unbeaten starts going. Manchester United have earned back-to-back wins in the league to take first place with ten points. West Ham sit in eighth but a win would see them leapfrog United to 11 points. Here’s all you need to know:
Match Info:
Teams: West Ham and Manchester United
Date: Sunday 18 September
KO time: 14:00 pm (BST)
Competition: Premier League
Venue: London Stadium
Managers: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, David Moyes
Referee: Andre Marriner
Spotlight: Manchester United and Jesse Lingard need to bounce back
After the horrific first Champions League match against Young Boys, United needs to bounce back. While Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo linked up well for the first goal, the match went downhill. For example, Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s red card to Jesse Lingard’s error, the players are looking to bounce back. Because as per usual, the United fans on social media freaked out again way too soon and demanded Ole be sacked. Will Twitter fans ever learn? Look to this match for the Red Devils to bounce back strongly.
Team News:
After loss to Young Boys, United will look to strengthen their league position atop the Premier League table. So, Wan-Bissaka suspended for the next match in Europe, expect him to retain his spot in domestic competition. In addition Victor Lindelöf started against Young Boys. I expect Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, and Raphael Varane to start this match. Up front, with Marcus Rushford still out, Jadon Sancho should start on the left. Mason Greenwood, fresh off making the 40 man shortlist for the Golden Boy, should retain a spot on the right while a certain no. 7 will retain his spot at striker.
Midfield become a bit more complicated. Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba should both be looks to start, but where does that leave Jesse Lingard? While he was at fault for the second goal against Young Boys, Lingard was in sizzling form during his loan at West Ham last season.
I have had my criticism of Jesse in the past, but in the end, he is a United player. However, I don’t know what the future holds, if we should have sold him or if he signs a new contract.
For West Ham, Michail Antonio is West Ham’s top scorer this season with four goals but he will miss the game after his sending off at Southampton.
Predicted Line ups:
Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, Pogba, Fernandes; Greenwood, Sancho; Ronaldo
West Ham Predicted Lineup: Fabianski; Cresswell, Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna; Soucek, Rice; Fornals, Bowen, Benrahma; Yarmolenko
Predicted Score: 2-3 to United
