West Ham vs Manchester United Preview:
I sat down with my Hammers Chat partner in crime, Geo, to look ahead to Manchester United’s visit to the London Stadium to face West Ham on Sunday.
During the match preview, we discussed why Lukasz Fabianski might be in for a stint between the sticks against the Red Devils, a prediction being made in many quarters. Alphonse Areola spent most of the Hammers’ match against Spurs either doing an impression of Jonny Wilkinson (or Owen Farrell for the younger crowd) or picking the ball out of his net.
We also discussed the likelihood of Lucas Paqueta starting the game against Man U. The out-of-form and under-pressure playmaker has an awful lot on his shoulders currently. Whilst he’s not yet banned from playing football, he certainly performed like it against Tottenham.
Then there’s the P45 derby, or ‘El Sackio’ as some are calling it. Julen Lopetegui is under massive pressure, but so is Erik ten Hag, whose performance has been so poor that Manchester United fans are probably calling for the return of Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Of course, there’s always the option of asking Sir Alex Ferguson to delay his club ambassador duties and return to the dugout.
Edit to say that I have since been informed that Sir Alex has, in fact, been relieved of his ambassadorial duties because the Salford-based side are skint. So, they’ll be looking for a different former manager. Perhaps they could consider David Moyes . . . He is available, apparently.
I had to smile watching Gonzo and Geo struggle to name a team for Sunday, after the club just spent £160m on its “best ever transfer window”
I’d have no issue with Fabianski starting. I would start Soler instead of Paqueta myself, and I’d start Alvarez instead of Souchek.
Areola hasn’t been impressive, Paqueta has been a liability. and Alvarez for me is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Give Soler a go, Summerville obviously, yes bring in Fab, there has to be reprecussions for being “Weetabix wrists” (thanks Gio, that’s a thing now), possibly drop Kilman and see what the other 2 look like together. 3 at the back? Does that help? Guido & Pacqueta should be nowhere near the 11, but like our manager, I have no idea who works with who, and who works with what system, if there is a system. Troy Deeney said it would be like this pre-season, I was hoping he was wrong but he looks dead on. Can he fix this mess? There are times this season where our players look like they have just met for the first time in an Asda car park. I suspect there is more pace and awerness in most Asda carparks.