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Go back three trials?
The West Ham team is as ordinary as their coach, but they are fifth in the Premier League table and play in the image of David Moyes – selfless workhorses with a target man and any style is functional.
Moyes has settled for a back three for most of this season, but West Ham is not a team in the position that demands United to match their lineup. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struck the right balance at Southampton, fifth since last weekend, by switching to the diamond and United should have won more comfortably.
Given that United, deprived of Fred but with Axel Tuanzebe available, needs a point in Leipzig on Tuesday, reversing to three behind is feasible and West Ham is a potential warm-up act.
Will the registration of the day of absence continue?
Strange but true: United’s last away loss in the Premier League was in Liverpool, on January 16, when the United Kingdom had not recorded a single case of coronavirus.
Manchester United took a double hit from Neymar when they lost 3-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in their crucial Champions League match on Wednesday.
It means United will travel to Germany needing a point from their last group match against RB Leipzig to qualify for the round of 16.
Before that, the Reds have a tough trip from the Premier League to West Ham to negotiate the weekend.
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United’s career on the country road since then is remarkable: WDDWWWWWWWW. His best league performances this season have come outside Old Trafford (Everton and Southampton) and his confidence should not be undermined by the loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
However, United have won just once at London Stadium (in January 2017) and that’s their only win at West Ham in the last six in the league.
Will Marcial drop down?
Edinson Cavani has started twice this season and Anthony Martial has had five more starts, but the Uruguayan has more goals. Martial hasn’t lived up to his team number this season, turning 25 today and more consistent five years ago.
The Frenchman wasted excellent opportunities against Everton and West Brom that did not cost United but on Wednesday night did his waste. Mason Greenwood’s availability means that United could easily drop Martial and still launch a balanced and intimidating attack that has not been seen before at London Stadium.
Rotation?
Luke Shaw is the only player unavailable for Solskjaer as Phil Jones was excluded from United’s Premier League squad, but the timing of Tuesday’s Leipzig match makes the changes inevitable.
It would be logical to start with Fred as he will not fly to Germany and Solskjaer has the advantage of being able to rotate his midfield without diluting his quality. Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek and Nemanja Matic were all on the bench midweek and two could be in line to return to XI.
Back in the top four?
It’s surreal, but United are just five points behind first with a game in hand and could finish the night in the top four. The victory would put them ahead of West Ham and fourth-placed Leicester will not play for Sheffield United until Sunday.
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