Man United vs West Ham: A UAE fans preview

Sport360 staff 16:00 26/11/2016
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  • Ahead of their encounter at Old Trafford on Sunday, Manchester United and West Ham UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.

    We asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch. Do you agree or have they missed the mark?

    Have your say by commenting below, using #360fans on Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.

    Omar Othman, MUSC UAE

    Has Wayne Rooney earned his place back in the side or is there still a way to go? 

    I’ll reiterate what I’ve said in previous previews, I’m confident Rooney is far from done and have full confidence he will silence his critics as he has done countless times in the past. He should be in the side, no doubt! The return on investment in that trust is the goals and assist that will follow.

    Has Zlatan Ibrahimovic done enough to justify a contract extension?

    Ibrahimovic isn’t a player yet to be proven, he’s a proven talent and one that will deliver. I don’t see why he shouldn’t be offered a contract. Yes, he’s 35, but still fit and boasts a physique many youth players would aspire for.

    He’s already got five goals in the league, and is poised to score many more. Being a United player comes with massive expectations from the club, the fans, and the media looking for any excuse to put doubt in the minds of the supporters. We’d obviously love to see him score goals for fun, but I’m not going to jump on any ‘doubt’ bandwagons.

    3) Are there signs that Jose Mourinho’s influence is starting to show on the pitch?

    Thursday night’s win in the Europa league saw a good solid performance, but again, this hasn’t been consistent. Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a brilliant game and was voted man of the match, but does Mourinho think he’s ready for a place in the starting XI?

    We would like to see consistency, solid defending, and fluid attacking play. Not sure we can see that ‘influence’ until we see a degree of consistency.

    SCORE PREDICTION:  Manchester United 3-0 West Ham United

    LIKELY UNITED XI: De Gea, Valencia, Blind, Jones, Shaw; Pogba, Carrick; Martial, Rooney Mata; Ibrahimovic

    UNITED PLAYER TO WATCH: Zlatan Ibrahimovic – He will most likely fit right back into the starting XI after returning from his suspension, I can’t see him not scoring (hopefully more than once).

    WEST HAM PLAYER TO FEAR: Michail Antonio – He’s been a big threat in the air scoring all of his goals through headers. United’s defenders must be solid to avoid anther ‘Giroud’ scenario.

    FAVOURITE UNITED VS WEST HAM MOMENT: No particular moment comes to mind, but last season’s FA Cup Quarter Final at Old Trafford when Anthony Martial’s equalizer with less than 10 mins to go on the clock set up a replay that United won taking them to the semi-final and eventually saw them win the FA Cup.

    WHERE TO WATCH: MUSC UAE members have a few locations to choose from which they can call home.  In Dubai matches are shown at Harvesters Pub, Crowne Plaza. For those who prefer Sheesha, they can enjoy the games at Petals, Time Oak Hotel, Barsha Heights (formerly known as Tecom). As for Abu Dhabi, the matches are shown at Coopers Bar in the Park Rotana.

    FACEBOOK: MUSC UAE

    TWITTER: @MUSC_UAE

    INSTAGRAM: @MUSCUAE

    Tony Sutton, Dubai Hammers

    Dimitri Payet continues to create chances. Are West Ham most lacking in an out-and-out goal-scorer?

    Dimitri Payet may have some impressive ‘chances created’ stats for the season but that is of no use at all if we do not get strikers on the end of them. Diafra Sakho was hugely important to the new high tempo and style of play that served West Ham so well at the start of last season and we have clearly missed him leading the line.

    His return against Tottenham last week was a huge boost and along with the return to fitness of new boy Andre Ayew, a player who has previously linked up to great effect with Payet at Marseille, it can only spell the start of better things to come from The Irons.

    What has most disappointed you about the team’s play this season?

    Sloppy uncharacteristic mistakes at the back have cost us points and seen us lose games from winning positions, something that really can’t happen in the Premier League as it is hard enough to compete at the best of times.

    Bilic spent massively on Ayew but should there have been more investment in other areas?

    The biggest frustration of all though must be the lack of quality shown by the vast majority of the new faces who arrived over the summer. West Ham’s recruitment team added eleven new faces to the dressing room over the summer and with the exception of Edimilson Fernandes and a glimpse of promise from Ashley Fletcher, they have all failed to add any quality or improve the team.

    If anything, that many new faces have purely served to disrupt a settled and balanced squad. Injuries have certainly played a part in our slow start but I can’t help but feel our recruitment could have been a lot more focused to key areas.

    SCORE PREDICTION: Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United.

    LIKELY WEST HAM XI: Randolph, Collins, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Payet, Lanzini, Antonio, Obiang, Kouyate, Ayew, Sakho

    WEST HAM PLAYER TO WATCH: Payet is the player that most people pay to watch in a West Ham shirt for obvious reasons although he has appeared frustrated and disillusioned at times this season. It will certainly be interesting to see how he links up with a fully fit Sakho and Ayew ahead of him, together with Lanzini I can see them forming a formidable attacking quartet that will transform our season.

    UNITED PLAYER TO FEAR: Wayne Rooney – With the England skipper in questionable form up until mid-week some think he may not play. However, I can tell you now, there is literally no better team for him to be lining up against this week. West Ham have to be one of the most generous clubs ever when it comes to ending goal droughts or a run of poor form and with 11 goals against us already, you can be sure that Rooney will be looking to get his form back on track against us.

    FAVOURITE UNITED VS WEST HAM MOMENT: January 28, 2001: Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United – I was one of the 13,000 West Ham fans who made the trip up to Old Trafford for the FA Cup clash.

    After an onslaught lasting over an hour, West Ham legend Paolo Di Canio found himself in behind the Manchester United back four and one on one with French keeper Fabian Barthez. As Di Canio closed in on goal, Barthez stood still with his hand in the air trying to trick the striker into thinking he was offside.

    Di Canio simply rolled the ball into the net then turned, dropped to his knees and held his arms open wide in front of the travelling contingent… cue absolute pandemonium in the away end!

    WHERE TO WATCH: The Dubai Hammers meet in Nelson’s Bar, Media Rotana, Tecom and have their own projector and dedicated area decked out in claret & blue. Free chip butties are passed around at half time and membership is available which gives you 20% on all F&B.

    The Abu Dhabi Irons watch games at the Belgian Beer Café in the Ibis Novotel Gate Hotel, the first pint is free for all Hammers fans!

    For more information on how to become a Dubai Hammer, visit our website www.dubaihammers.com

    FACEBOOK: Dubai Hammers

    TWITTER:@DubaiHammers

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