David Moyes heads into his pre-Manchester Uniteed presser tomorrow with everybody fit and seemingly just two decisions to make!
Haller or Antonio? Masuaku or Benrahma?
One decision affects the other but it’s not an easy call because while Said is likely to produce a decent supply line for the French striker can he replicate Masuaku’s ability to carry the ball out of defence and into the opposition half.
(Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)
Only Moyes will know from what he has seen on the training pitch but for all that my bet is that if he includes the Algerian then Haller will get the shout upfront.
Masuaku in his current form isn’t a half-bad option to have on the bench anyway.
Haller must have been disappointed to see Mikey get the shout against Villa but his confidence will have been improved when the manager showed no problem with taking him off at half time. It showed – he was enthusiastic and involved.
Don’t expect any answers in the morning – Moyes keeps these things right up his sleeve but whichever way he goes three points and an improved performance is the requirement and these are the types of game in which we go well.
My forecast 2-1
Surely the answer is to play Benrahma in place of Fornals? That way we still have a “defensive” wide player in Arthur (who has done well there) and Benrahma gets to play further forward. It would also give Fornals a rest, which seems needed.
I think Haller will start as Antonio is clearly not up to speed and we know he takes some time to ramp his fitness up.
The only other worry (apart from ManU being a good side!) is that we looked leggy in midfield against Villa. Soucek hasn’t played well in the last couple of games. Maybe we’ might see Nobes return. Either way, Declan will have to be back to his best!
Haller and Masuaku to start. Benrahma for Fornals possibly but not for Masuaku; especially in our best formation of 3-4-3
If we play 5-4-1 in defence and 3-4-3 going forward then Benrhama sits. Would still have Haller start.
If we play 4-4-2 then Benrhama plays #10 behind Haller. Fornals off. Cresswell replaced with Johnson.
Regardless, I would rest Rice. He clearly was in awe of his international teammate and needs to ice his swollen head. Give Coventry a run.
Benrahma, apart from the assist looked like he is still very much learning the system, he looked slightly lost at PL level which is entirely to be expected of a new player, not a criticism, bring him on slowly as a sub and let him gradually acclimatise, stick with the formation that has the most defenders, maybe play Diop instead of Masuaku and Cresswell out wide ? Soak up the pressure and counter, play it like an away game.
I agree that Arthur shouldn’t be dropped, he’s done brilliantly this season. Why the clamour for Haller to start? What’s he actually done apart from a single quality strike at goal and one or two useful touches? He’s nowhere near what I would expect from a Premier League CF, his first touch is sub standard and he just doesn’t cause enough problems for defenders. It’s
no good claiming that he doesn’t get a good enough service, at this level he needs to make things happen himself just like Antonio.
Not in a million years is moyes likely to play Benrahma as a left wing back in place of Masuaku in a 5 at the back system. I’m guessing he would replace Fornals in that system. Otherwise if he replaces Masuaku it means cresswell is playing left back in a 442 and Benrahma would play left wing. Either way Benrahma is an attacking player not a left back.
Please don’t change the five at the back – it ain’t broke! I am in the camp that says Said to sub Fornals but I don’t see much evidence that he could help Cress and carry it forward so why not Arthur?
In replyto GARY D Connor Coventy is injured….