David Moyes returns to Old Trafford once again this evening. The Hammers boss and former Manchester United manager knows that all this side need is a point to ensure survival and a spot in the Premier League next season. However, it will be no easy task as this evening’s opponents are the most in-form side in the top-flight and they have not lost in the league since it restarted.
In fact, they have dropped just two points, but West Ham can take solace from the Red Devil’s disastrous performance in the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea at the weekend. To overcome the Irons’ opponents, Moyes must keep faith in the formula which is proving to be incredibly effective for the Hammers of late.
Between the Norwich City 4-0 drubbing and the 3-1 victory over Watford, Moyes made just one change, with Ben Johnson making his second Premier League start at right back after Ryan Fredericks was absent through injury. However, further up the field, he must keep the same system and personnel once more, with a pairing of Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice screening the defence. Jarrod Bowen has been in blistering form, registering four assists in his last five top-flight matches and he simply has to start against the Red Devils.
Meanwhile, Mark Noble has been something of a revelation in an advanced midfield role, registering ten key passes in his last two matches, along with consecutive assists. The captain’s momentum is sky-high at present, and he has been showing the likes of Manuel Lanzini how it is done, with the Argentine playmaker stuck on two assists this term, without any in 2020.
Centre forward has become an incredibly easy decision for Moyes to make since the Premier League resumed from its hiatus. No player in the division has scored more goals than Michail Antonio’s seven since the resumption, all of which have come in the last five matches. The 30-year-old has fired himself to the top of West Ham’s scoring charts this season in spectacular fashion and has rightly been keeping record signing Sébastien Haller out of the starting eleven, even after his return from injury.
Providing his players are in physical condition to start again this evening, Moyes must not tamper with his winning formula. West Ham have the opportunity to upset the form guide and secure their Premier League place with one match remaining. Additionally, if the Hammers can pull off a shock win tonight, they can celebrate winning three consecutive games for the first time this season, in style.
