Manchester United have been handed a massive boost in their chances to qualify for the Champions League next season, but the first hurdle they face towards that goal is a tricky away tie against West Ham United on Tuesday.
West Ham and Manchester United are not unfamiliar foes. They have already clashed with each other thrice this season, playing out two draws before the Red Devils knocked West Ham out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 quarter-final win in April. The Hammers will be itching for revenge and with Champions League qualification looking all but impossible, they will hope to at least secure Europa League football next season.
Man United head into the game after a less than convincing win against Norwich City and will look to make up for it in a crucial tie that has huge implications for their chances of a top four finish. In what would be the final game for West Ham at Upton Park, the Red Devils are looking to play spoilsport at the farewell party.
Probable Lineups:
West Ham United
The biggest loss for the Hammers is that of regular goalkeeper Adrian, who is out with a calf injury and will be replaced by Republic of Ireland keeper Darren Randolph. Apart from that manager Slaven Bilic has a largely fit squad to choose from.
Starting XI:- Randolph, Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini, Sakho, Carroll, Payet
Manchester United
The biggest injury worry for Louis van Gaal ahead of the West Ham United game would be French forward Anthony Martial, who suffered an injury in the pre-match training ahead of their tie against Norwich City. Right-back Matteo Darmian is out with an ankle injury and midfielder Marouane Fellaini is still suspended.
Luke Shaw and Bastian Schweinsteiger remain the two long term absentees for the Red Devils.
Starting XI:- De Gea, Rojo, Blind, Smalling, Varela, Schneiderlin, Carrick, Lingard, Mata, Rooney, Rashford
Key Stats:
- The Red Devils haven’t lost any of their last 14 games against West Ham United.
- Man United have kept a league highest of 18 clean sheets this season.
- This will be the Hammers’ 384th and final professional match at Upton Park.
- West Ham head into the game after a shocking 4-1 loss to Swansea City, the first time they’ve conceded four goals in the league this season.
Players to watch out for:-
Dimitri Payet
The French play maker has been a sensation for West Ham United this season, and will hope to continue in the same vein this Tuesday. Payet has scored three goals and assisted six in his last 11 Premier League games and the Manchester United defence cannot give him much space to work his magic.
Marcus Rashford
With their hotshot Frenchman out of action, all eyes will be on Manchester United’s teenage marksman who was so impressive the last time these two teams faced each other. Marcus Rashford will be fresh, hungry and ready to go after having been rested for their weekend clash against Norwich City.
With Wayne Rooney looking a bit lost up front against the Canaries, Rashford will once again shoulder the Red Devil’s attacking responsibilities on his young shoulders.
Prediction:-
West Ham United 1-2 Manchester United
It won’t be spectacular. It won’t be exciting. But it’ll be a result. This has been the highlight of Manchester United’s season so far and things may well continue in the same vein at Upton Park. Even after an uninspiring season of football, the Red Devils find themselves on the cusp of the Champions League football that they and manager Louis van Gaal so desperately need.
West Ham, for their part, will still be nursing the wounds of the thrashing they received from Swansea City in the weekend, something United could work to their advantage if they manage to sneak in an early goal.
Blast from the Past:-
Dimitri Payet scored a gorgeous free-kick to give West Ham the advantage in their FA Cup quarter-final match against the Red Devils. But Anthony Martial snatched a draw from the depths of defeat in this high intensity clash between the two back in March.
