This’ll be a tricky game for Man United. West Ham are finding their form.
I watched them against Liverpool at the start of the season and they were diabolical. That back four were playing so high up, you can’t play like that against Liverpool like that. That easily could have been eight and I wasn’t too sure about them.
But then they were unlucky against Arsenal. they were beaten 3-2 but they could easily have won that game. They were improving, and like anything, when you bring in a new manager and new players, you’re not going to hit the ground running.
PRESTON, ENGLAND – JULY 21: Manuel Pellegrini manager of West Ham United during the Pre-Season Friendly between Preston North End and West Ham United at Deepdale on July 21, 2018 in Preston, England. (Photo b Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
Players need to learn about the system your formations, how you want to play. You have player from different countries coming in and learning how to play with each other.
It takes time.
They beat Everton away to get their first win, Yarlomenko got two wonderful goals.
That result must’ve given them a big boost considering they were bottom of the table, and then the 0-0 at home to Chelsea is another point against a team who’ve been playing some lovely football.
Loads of Problems
They’re going into the Man United game where they can think ‘there’s loads of problems there…’
This is a game where the Hammers can believe they’ll beat Man United on the basis of the stuff coming out between Pogba and Mourinho. There’s a lot of negativity coming out of Old Trafford.
West Ham have had a good result against Chelsea at home when Man United were lucky to draw the game against Wolves, then they lost to Derby on penalties and didn’t play well at all considering the team they had out.
As a manager, you can look at this game one of two ways. Either United are going to come into this game looking to bare their teeth and show what they’re all about after a lot of crap talked during the week, or there’s going to be a smell of a lack of confidence about them, and West Ham can sense that.
If I was Pellegrini I’d be telling my players that United are not coming here confident at all. There’s a lot of negativity. And that could lift my players.
Sanchez return?
Yarmolenko is a very good player. If Mourinho goes with Shaw at left-back Yarmolenko’s shown he’s capable of scoring goals from the righ-hand side.
I think Felipe Anderson can do a lot more. Because they played deep against Chelsea it was hard for them to get out. So if they have a go at United, press them high. If they do, Anderson can come into it then where he can cause so many problems.
He was awesome at Lazio and they spent a lot of money on him.
For United, does Mourinho bring Sanchez back in? I didn’t understand why he didn’t come on against Derby. They’re getting beaten and he brings on two midfield players in Fellaini and Fred. Bring one on and an attacking player I’m thinking.
Pogba hasn’t quite got his game yet, Sanchez can’t get on the pitch. Lukaku, for as much as he scores, doesn’t really do enough in the games in play, so there are a lot of questions about the team.
I think it could end up finishing 2-1 West Ham.