Premier League: Moyes is Back at the Theatre of Dreams

Manchester United vs West Ham United

There will be an old face in the visitors’ dugout at Old Trafford on Sunday when David Moyes brings his team up from London for a tasty clash; Premier League: Manchester United vs West Ham United.

Former Manchester United boss Moyes has made superb progress at West Ham over the past couple of seasons though the Hammers made a stumbling start to the current campaign. In recent weeks his team has started to click again and they come into this match on the back of a 2-0 win over Bournemouth, and the Hammers boss would dearly love to add an away win at the club he managed for just one season

Moyes was unlucky to be discarded so quickly by the Red Devils as the first of eight managers to lead Manchester United after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. It’s difficult to pinpoint any of the next six head coaches who did noticeably better than Moyes, despite some big names, such as Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho having a go.

Erik Ten Hag is number eight and he is doing his best to stamp his authority at Old Trafford and would a winning team, and the improving Red Devils earned a well-earned point in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea last week.

Both teams played on Thursday night; Manchester United beating Europa League opponents Sheriff Tiraspol 3-0, while West Ham saw off Silkeborg 1-0 in the Europa Conference League.

Talking Points

Ronaldo back in the fold

Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo was banned by his boss last week for refusing to come on as a substitute against Spurs on the previous Wednesday, and he was left out of the squad for the Red Devils’ visit to Chelsea. The former Real Madrid and Juventus star has become a frustrated figure back in Manchester where fans welcomed him with open arms hoping he could bring former glories back to the club.

But his disappointment with the performances of some of his team-mates and the club’s inability to give him Champions League football led to him angling for a move in the summer which never materialised. But now that Ten Hag has made clear who is boss Ronaldo was recalled and scored on his return to the squad against Tiraspol. Amazingly it was CR7’s first goal at Old Trafford in 178 days and it remains a debate as to whether the team performs better with or without the 37-year-old striker.

The Red Devils’ summer recruits are doing pretty well; Christian Eriksen is the club’s best creative player while Casemiro has added steel and world-class pedigree to the midfield. The Brazilian star scored a brilliant last-gasp leveller in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, rising above the Blues’ defence to power in a superb header and he is now one of the first names on Ten Hag’s team sheet.

Bowen’s injury adds to Hammers’ injury list

A confirmed ankle injury to West Ham’s attacking midfielder Jarrod Bowen means he is likely to miss the trip to Old Trafford and that increases the Hammers’ absentee list to five. Moyes has been without record signing Lucas Paqueta, defensive rock Craig Dawson and winger Maxwell Cornet recently and there is no news on a likely return for any of them, while the boss has said he will not risk Nayef Aguerd who made an impressive debut against Tiraspol.

The Hammers have won their last three home league games, beating Bournemouth 2-0 last week thanks to a controversial Kurt Zouma header and an injury-time penalty converted by Said Benrahma. And Manuel Lanzini’s first-half penalty against Tiraspol made it five wins from five in the Europa Conference for West Ham.

Moyes is asking his side to be more clinical and striker Gianluca Scammaca could take advantage of the absence of the injured Raphael Varane in Manchester’s defence. The Manchester United vs West Ham United betting odds are backing a home win but if Moyes gets his wish in terms of attacking success, and captain Declan Rice can win the midfield battle with Casemiro, then the Hammers have a fair chance.

History

The Red Devils have had much the better of the head-to-head Manchester United vs West Ham United results over the last 20 years, winning 37 of the 61 encounters while the Hammers have picked up nine victories and 15 draws.

Manchester United did the double over West Ham last season, winning 2-1 at the London Stadium in September, before scoring the only goal of the game in a tight affair at Old Trafford in March.

Both teams have won four of the last six, in all competitions, but while United have drawn their other two, West Ham have drawn one and lost one

Betting Tip

Manchester United are strong favourites at SBOTOP odds of 1.70 to win this match, while the draw is at 3.78 and West Ham are the outside chance for a win at 4.17.

Both teams are on the up and I expect a tight game, and maybe a narrow home win or a low-scoring draw.

 

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