The Red Devils are placed sixth in the points table with 35 points, two points behind fourth-placed West Ham, who have played a game more.
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Manchester United host West Ham United on Saturday in a crucial match in terms of the Premier League top-four race. The Red Devils are placed sixth in the points table with 35 points, two points behind fourth-placed West Ham, who have played a game more. Therefore Ralf Rangnick’s side has a golden opportunity to get ahead of the Hammers with a win at Old Trafford. United are going into the match on the back of a 3-1 win against Brentford in the mid-week while West Ham went down 3-2 at home to Leeds united.
? Targeting back-to-back #PL wins! ✊#MUFC | #MUNWHU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 22, 2022
Rangnick’s side produced an emphatic performance in the second half to take all three points at Brentford. Meanwhile goalkeeper David de Gea bailed out his side on multiple occasions. Anthony Elanga headed home on his second Premier League appearance before Mason Greenwood doubled the lead and Marcus Rashford made it 3-0 for the Red Devils. Meanwhile Ivan Toney scored a late consolation goal for Brentford.
It was a convincing win for Rangnick’s side who now have five wins from their last eight league games. Although the German coach is still trying to find his best combination, he has been able to pull out the results. But United are still rank outsiders when it comes to top-four battle.
West Ham have 37 points from 22 games and blew their chance to go further clear at the fourth spot when they were defeated by Leeds in the previous game. The Hammers finished on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller.
Leeds took the lead twice in the game through Jack Harrison but David Moyes’ side twice leveled the score through Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals but the English striker’s third of the night ended the game in Leeds’ favor.
West Ham’s four-game winning streak in all competitions came to a bitter end in their home ground. But Moyes’ side are clinging on to the fourth-spot by the thinnest of margins as Man United, Tottenham and Arsenal all apply pressure.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who returned from injury against Brentford, is expected to start again alongside Greenwood and Elanga up front. Bruno Fernandes is likely to play behind the front three in a number ten’s role with Fred and McTominay providing the much needed cover in the midfield. Fred was given the freedom to play slightly further up the pitch in the previous game and the Brazilian provided the assist for Elanga’s goal.
The Red Devils are pretty good going forward, but the problem lies in the defense. They haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 11 games in all competitions. The back-line is a cause of concern for Rangnick and Harry Maguire is expected to come in to partner Rafael Varane in the central defence.
As for West Ham, Said Benrahma remains absent because of his international commitment at the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile Craig Dawson and Issa Diop will keep their place in the central defense because of the absence of Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma.
Manuel Lanzini, Declan Rice and Pablo Fornals will play in the midfield while Michael Antonio will play up front along with Jarrod Bowen and Nikola Vlasic in support.
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