Consecutive victories against Queens Park Rangers and Leicester have reignited Manchester United’s hopes of finishing the 2014/2015 Premier League season in the top four. With no fewer than five teams – including upcoming opponents West Ham – hot on their heels, it has become imperative for Louis Van Gaal to continue implementing his ideas and tactics as the business end of the campaign begins. One slip-up could be all it takes for United to lose momentum and allow the chasing pack to move ahead in the race for the Champions League places.
A trip to the Boleyn Ground may be the last thing Van Gaal and his players need, with the Hammers enjoying a wonderful season under Sam Allardyce who is reaping the rewards of changing his team’s style of play. Manchester United may be slight favourites to walk away with three points, but the team will have to be at their very best in order to do so.
Substance over style
While Manchester United have looked far more dangerous going forward in recent weeks, it may come down to substance over style at the Boleyn Ground. West Ham may have been well below their best at Liverpool, but they will undoubtedly make United work for the points in front of their own crowd.
It will therefore require a team effort from Van Gaal’s men, particularly in midfield where gaining control of possession may be crucial to who comes out on top. Van Gaal admitted after the Leicester game that his team failed to kill the game off, and allow defensive lapses to creep into their performance with emphasis on passing backwards rather than forwards proving costly in the loss of a much-needed clean sheet.
It will need a much more assured performance from the back four in order to provide a platform for a Manchester United victory; it is inconceivable that David De Gea will continue to win points on his own through top quality saves.
The game may also provide another opportunity for Robin Van Persie to rediscover his form, with the Dutchman continuing to snatch at chances that fall his way. West Ham’s defence is unlikely to be charitable, but hitting the goal train again would be a big boost to Van Persie and Manchester United.
Dangerous Hammers
While Southampton continue to make all the headlines further up the table, West Ham have continued to fly under the radar as they enjoy an excellent season in which qualifying for a European spot is well within their grasps. It is testament to the change in system Allardyce has implemented at the club, with the Hammers now playing fast, free-flowing football that has been won many plaudits.
The days of Allardyce being considered as one-dimensional in his approach to the game by opting for long ball football appear to be over, with the likes of Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll thriving in the new system. Summer arrivals Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho have also taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, and will undoubtedly be players that Manchester United will have to keep quiet in their pursuit of what could be an invaluable three points.