United host West Ham on Sunday afternoon, on the day we commemorate the 66th anniversary of the Munich air disaster – and remember the 23 people who lost their lives, including 8 of Sir Matt Busby’s “Busby Babes.”
Players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect, which will be replicated across all age groups this weekend.. Erik ten Hag and Marc Skinner will lead tributes at their respective league fixtures, laying commemorative wreaths on behalf of the club shortly before kick-off at Old Trafford and Leigh Sports Village.
Victims’ families will attend, flags will flay at half-mast, a large banner will fay in the Stretford End an there will be a service beneath the Munich memorial plaque.
It’s difficult to tell what you’re going to get from United, not only week to week but even across 90 minutes. Having looked so assured and comfortable in the first half against Wolves, there was an inevitability about the Reds letting their two-goal lead slip not once, but twice.
United can pretty much field a full-strength team now, and we’ll need to replicate the Wolves first-half performance if we’re going to beat the high-flying Hammers.
Manchester united team news
Long-term absentees Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount remain sidelined with injuries. Aaron-Wan Bissaka is nearing a return but doubtful for Sunday, whilst Victor Lindeloff is closer to being involved and could make the bench. Anthony Martial remains unavailable with a groin industry.
Sofyan Amrabat is available again, after his Morocco were knocked out of the African Cup of Nations. He’ll probably be on the bench as it’s hard to think he would replace the excellent Mainoo, Fernandes or Casemiro in the starting line-up.
Lisandro Martinez was seen with ice and strapping around his foot after coming off against Wolves, but Erik Ten Hag said this was just a precaution – hopefully the influential Argentine will be available but we wouldn’t be surprised if this was from the bench.
Casemiro brought quality and aggression to the midfield against Wolves but looked to be flagging towards the end and probably still isn’t 100% fit, with Ten Hag set to manages his return carefully.
Manchester United predicted lineup
Onana;
Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw;
Fernandes, Casemiro, Mainoo;
Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford.
Opposition preview and form guide
West Ham are having a great season and currently sit a point ahead of United in sixth. Ex-United boss David Moyes has got his tactics spot-on more than not.
The Hammers have lost only twice in in their last 11 league games; a run that includes notable wins over United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hostpur. Make no mistake about it, this will be a very tough fixture.
West Ham remain without Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio due to injury, but defender Nayef Aguerd could feature following Morocco’s exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
United form guide (league): DLWLDW
United form guide (all competitions): WLWDWW
West Ham form guide (league): LWWDDD
West Ham form guide (all competitions): WDDLDD
Prediction
This will be a difficult game on what is sure to be an emotional day for players, staff and fans alike. West Ham real quality with the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta, and have the best set-piece taker in the league in James Ward-Prowse, where the 6’4″ Tomas Soucek is always a threat.
United need to hit the levels of the first half against Wolves, but maintain them to get a result against the Hammers. If we can do that, we should be able to over come David Moyes’ mean and leapfrog them in the league, but a clean sheet against this team looks difficult.
Prediction: United 3 – 2 West Ham.
