Mark Lawrenson predicted Manchester United to defeat West Ham 2-0 when the pair face-off at the London Stadium on Saturday.
The BBC pundit backed Man United to take all three points in their upcoming clash against the Hammers despite issuing his verdict on the current “soap opera” scenario that is occurring at Old Trafford because of Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho.
Lawrenson shared that despite some players potentially siding with their teammate rather than their manager, he still expected Man United to beat Manuel Pellegrini’s side as the Hammers would come at their opponents which would play right into Mourinho’s hands.
“The situation at Manchester United is turning into a soap opera,” wrote the pundit for BBC Sport.
“Paul Pogba’s relationship with Jose Mourinho is not just in doubt, it is developing in front of our eyes – which is an absolutely ridiculous situation when you think of the size of that club.
“It would appear that one of the two has got to give, and it is probably easier to sell a player than it is to get rid of a manager.
“But the situation is still salvageable. I hate the term that a manager has “lost the dressing room” because generally they don’t lose the entire squad, they only lose the players who are not playing.
“It is those disaffected players that are a problem, and there are plenty of them at United that definitely do not fall into that category, who will still be playing for Mourinho.
“That is why I think they will go to West Ham and win, the Hammers have had a good week, with their point against Chelsea and then thumping Macclesfield 8-0, but if I was in that United dressing room after everything that has gone on this week, I would be thinking now “let’s just go and win this game and show people what we are about.
“West Ham will come at them too which, with the way United like to play, is perfect for them.”
OPINION
It’s disappointing that Lawrenson settles on backing Man United to take all three points as his comments on the situation developing at Old Trafford suggests he knows trouble is brewing at that club. If the Hammers are to have any chance of beating Man United this season then clearly their best opportunity will be when they host them at the London Stadium on Saturday. While the BBC pundit refers to the situation regarding Pogba and Mourinho’s fascinating relationship, he’s forgetting that Man United are going into this weekend’s game on the back of a surprising loss to Derby County. Frank Lampard’s side ousted Man United from the EFL Cup after defeating them on penalties at Old Trafford and several first-teamers let their side down in that game. Given that the Hammers are coming off a morale boosting 8-0 win over Macclesfield Town, and a respectable 0-0 draw with Chelsea, then surely Pellegrini should be aiming to kick Man United while their down and ensure the Hammers take all three points from Saturday’s game.
