Pre-Match Analysis of MU vs West Ham: What Appetizer for the ‘Red Devils’?
As the curtain-raiser against Wolves approaches, HLV Erik ten Hag is still figuring out the ingredients to construct this season’s Manchester United squad. For now, he must find the recipe for the opening dish at Old Trafford.
It’s easy to sense that some fresh elements will be present in this season’s inaugural feast for Manchester United at home: a new goalkeeper who fits Ten Hag’s standards (Andre Onana), a midfielder capable of boosting creativity and providing some support for Bruno Fernandes (Mason Mount).
The Attack of MU Without Hojlund
Regrettably, the most anticipated face on the opening day, Rasmus Hojlund, is likely to delay his debut for the MU fans. Even though the reason is a minor injury, the Danish forward leaves behind questions about whether he’s the right answer for the striker position that has posed challenges for several seasons. This forces Manchester United to revert to a familiar option for the number 9 position against Wolves: Marcus Rashford. This 25-year-old forward may not be thrilled about continuing as a center-forward this season, but he can only return to a winger role once Hojlund is ready. Anthony Martial is not a reliable choice for the striker position, mainly due to his fitness concerns. The trust in Martial from HLV Ten Hag is dwindling. Consequently, MU’s leadership might be more receptive to offers from other teams, unlike their resistance when Jose Mourinho made similar demands. The uncertain future of Mason Greenwood further solidifies the possibility of Rashford continuing as the number 9. This creates an interesting scenario for the two winger positions, as everyone wonders if Ten Hag will prioritize the youthful energy of Alejandro Garnacho for one of those spots. This will lead to a competition between Antony and Jadon Sancho for the remaining spot, with Antony having a slight advantage due to his better form during the pre-season.
Apart from the fresh air brought by Onana and Mount, the core lineup of MU for the upcoming match against Wolves consists of familiar names. There’s no reason for Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane to lose their spots if they are fit and ready to play as the central defenders. The situation on the right-back position is a bit more complex, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot both being strong contenders. If one has to identify a factor beyond tactics that MU needs to consider to avoid risks on the opening day, it’s the unpredictability of Wolves, who changed their manager just before visiting Old Trafford.
Simultaneous Playing and Transfers
Manchester United’s summer transfer window is yet to close. They have a long list of targets for both offloading and bolstering their squad. The midfield section is currently in a state of both excess and shortage. Fred is heading to Turkey with a move to Fenerbahce, while Scott McTominay remains a target for West Ham despite their impending acquisition of defender Harry Maguire for £30 million. Donny van de Beek might also depart to end his Old Trafford nightmare, where he arrived with much promise but struggled to regain his form under HLV Ten Hag’s guidance. Offloading these three names would provide MU with space to add new recruits in the midfield. Sofyan Amrabat has caught the attention of Old Trafford, but MU needs to act quickly as Juventus and Atletico Madrid are ready to compete for the Moroccan midfielder.
Apart from the fresh air brought by Onana and Mount, the core lineup of MU for the upcoming match against Wolves consists of familiar names. There’s no reason for Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane to lose their spots if they are fit and ready to play as the central defenders. The situation on the right-back position is a bit more complex, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot both being strong contenders. If one has to identify a factor beyond tactics that MU needs to consider to avoid risks on the opening day, it’s the unpredictability of Wolves, who changed their manager just before visiting Old Trafford.
Simultaneous Playing and Transfers
Manchester United’s summer transfer window is yet to close. They have a long list of targets for both offloading and bolstering their squad. The midfield section is currently in a state of both excess and shortage. Fred is heading to Turkey with a move to Fenerbahce, while Scott McTominay remains a target for West Ham despite their impending acquisition of defender Harry Maguire for £30 million. Donny van de Beek might also depart to end his Old Trafford nightmare, where he arrived with much promise but struggled to regain his form under HLV Ten Hag’s guidance. Offloading these three names would provide MU with space to add new recruits in the midfield. Sofyan Amrabat has caught the attention of Old Trafford, but MU needs to act quickly as Juventus and Atletico Madrid are ready to compete for the Moroccan midfielder.
In the defensive line, Maguire’s potential move to West Ham for £30 million could open the door for MU to find another high-quality central defender to challenge Martinez-Varane partnership. Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice has emerged as a top option to replace Maguire, given his potential for development at the age of 23. Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich also offers a versatile option as he can perform well in both central defense and right-back positions. This flexibility could be beneficial for MU, especially considering their commitments across multiple competitions this season.
This is the ongoing story for Manchester United, with over two weeks left to finalize their transfer dealings. For now, Ten Hag and his team must focus on delivering the smoothest possible start. The wins of Man City, Arsenal, and Newcastle on Friday and Saturday last week inadvertently put pressure on Old Trafford. A poor start could result in challenges not only in the title race but also in securing a spot in the Top 4.
