Manchester United were ready on Sunday to lock horns against West Brom on their travels to the Hawthrons, as they looked to catch hold of their fierce rivals Manchester City, who decimated Tottenham on Sunday evening. The Red Devils have already qualified for the next round of Champions League, as they have collected a tally of 15 points from their 6 matches, with 5 wins and a loss. They have further looked decent in the league and other cup competitions, though what matters is winning trophies. They have been trying to be consistent and build momentum, with a lot at stake now.
Jose Mourinho’s side were victorious against Bouremouth in their last game in the Premier League with a margin of a single goal and the Portuguese manager might opt to rotate his players to them rest for the long season ahead.
Team News Prior To The Game:
The home side featured Ben Foster at goal, who will have to fight hard to keep the opposition attackers out of goal. Mourinho is generally known for a defensive away strategy, though it seems that this game might not be any way near to that kind of tactical battle. A four man defence will be utilized, with a 5 man midfield and Salomon Rondon, as the lone attacking option
Michael Carrick is injured along with Phil Jones, though the latter was available for this match. Eric Bailly was also a doubt to play for Manchester United. De Gea will be playing as the Goalkeeper of Manchester United while Darmian, Smalling, Lindelof and Blind will play in the defense for them. Matic and Herrera will be in the defensive midfield position and Mkhitaryan, Lingard and Rashford will play in the attacking midfield position for them. Ibrahimovic will have a chance to play in the attacking third for Manchester United.
Predicted Starting Eleven :
West Brom : (4-5-1)
Gk: Ben Foster
Lb: Alan Romeo
Cb: Ahmed Hegazi
Cb: Jonny Evans
Rb: Keiran Gibbs
Lm: Jay Rodriguez
Cm: Livermore
Cm: Yacob
Cm: Krychowiak
Rm: McClean
Cf: Salomon Rondon
Manchester United : (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper : De Gea
Defenders : Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young.
Midfielders : Matic, Herrera ; Mata, Lingard, Rashford.
Attackers: Lukaku.
My Predicted Scoreline :
West Brom 1-3 Manchester United
Final Score :
West Brom 1-2 Manchester United
The visitors dominated the Baggies in the first half of the game, as Mourinho’s side took back all three points on a night, when they really needed to win. Though they failed to score again in the second period and conceded once, they did just enough to secure a victory and keep the chase to catch up with City alive. It was quite crucial to keep the momentum going and that is exactly what United did.
They still trail their domestic rivals by 11 points and will want to give their best in order to push hard and try to catch hold of them. It has totally been one sided so far in the title challenge to be crowned the champions of England and if City keep playing the way that they are at present, they might go unbeaten this season, a record that only Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal has been able to boast of thus far.
The London based clubs have failed to impress this season yet again and Liverpool..well..enough said.
