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Manchester United tackle West Ham right this moment in a vital match for the Europa League positions. If the Pink Devils had been to win, they might leapfrog the Hammers into sixth place and shut the hole with Tottenham to 6 factors.
Each groups enter the match in strong type as West Ham have gone six league video games unbeaten and United haven’t misplaced in 4 video games both.
In what would be the 154th instalment of an English basic, United will goal to keep away from defeat and avenge a 2-0 loss simply earlier than Christmas, the place an injury-ravaged aspect together with a defence of Jonny Evans and Willy Kambwala held agency till the 72 minute.
Listed below are three storylines that followers are following with curiosity.
How does Kobbie Mainoo reply to midweek heroics?
Manchester United followers have identified how particular Mainoo is for a very long time however the Englishman introduced himself to the Premier League informal on Thursday night time in fashion, scoring a wonderful solo goal within the 97th minute to save lots of his aspect’s blushes in opposition to Wolves.
The sport was the 18 12 months previous’s eighth consecutive begin for the Pink Devils and he has cemented himself as one of many first names on the staff sheet. The Stockport native is even on the right track to obtain an enormous pay rise to mirror his rising stature on the membership.
One hallmark of Mainoo’s time within the first staff is his consistency for one so younger, so United followers will totally count on the midfield man to proceed to make a powerful impression on Sunday’s recreation.
Can United proceed their sturdy streak at house to West Ham?
While the Pink Devils’ file on the London Stadium has been patchy, the place they’ve misplaced their final two video games, their latest outcomes in opposition to the East Londoners at Previous Trafford have been unbelievable.
In keeping with the BBC, Man United have gone 15 league video games unbeaten at house to the aspect who play in claret and blue.
Actually, it’s a must to go manner again to May 2007, when a sure Carlos Tevez netted for the Hammers on the final day of the season, to maintain the Londoners within the Premier League, to discover a West Ham victory on the Theatre of Goals. Even then, United had already been topped champions, so had been hardly at their optimum stage.
Can United’s flailing defence maintain agency?
The Mancunian aspect have not too long ago rediscovered their goalscoring contact, scoring two targets or extra in 5 of their final six video games since they failed to attain in opposition to the Hammers earlier than Christmas.
Nonetheless, their defence has additionally struggled immensely. In an embarrassing statistic, solely Sheffield United have conceded extra targets in all competitions this season than Manchester United’s 52.
Regardless of a good effort the final outing in opposition to the Hammers, United’s weakened defence was lastly breached by Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus. With a primary selection defence again to choose from, Erik ten Hag will likely be hoping right this moment is the day that the staff can finally return to some kind of defensive solidity, as with out it, even the Europa League spots will likely be a distant dream.
