Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
West Ham finally say goodbye to Upton Park tonight with the visit of Manchester United. It will no doubt be a party atmosphere of sorts but will Louis Van Gaal spoil the party come 10pm or will Slaven Bilic’s side put a spanner in the works in terms of United’s Top 4 hopes.
The Hammers will no doubt be glad that this re-arranged fixture is taking place evening after losing 4-1 at home to Swansea last Saturday. After such an impressive season it was a very rare off day for the home side as Swansea outclassed them in every department.
That defeat has also damaged their hopes of a Top 6 finish with them now finding themselves in 7th place behind Southampton. If results go against them over the next couple of nights then they could see them drop to 8th and then they would be relying on Manchester United and Liverpool to win some silverware to secure a Europa League spot.
A few weeks ago many felt that Manchester United were looking to life in the Europa League next season but a mixture of their form as of late and their cross city rivals City stuttering towards the end of the campaign means that a Champions League spot for United is now in their hands
At the weekend they edged past a struggling Norwich side. They had to make do without both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford at the Weekend and Louis Van Gaal will be hoping that they are both fit to return and cause The Hammers defence the kind of trouble that they created during their F.A. Cup Quarter Final replay at Upton Park last month.
They weren’t particularly impressive on Saturday at Carrow Road but they did grind out a result and at this time of the season it’s points more than performances that will get you over the line. Then again Van Gaal’s United side have been pragmatic all season so it’s not as if anything was going to change away at Norwich
If United were to win their last two matches that would see them in the Top 4 and could go a huge way to saving Louis Van Gaal’s job at the end of the season. Couple that with a potential F.A. Cup win and all of a sudden the season doesn’t seem all that bad
But I think there is going to be one more twist in the tale and that’s the fact that West Ham aren’t going to want to leave the Boleyn Ground without a win. I’m not sure who is going to scupper who’s hopes but I have a feeling they will cancel each other out and I can see this ending in a draw.
It’s a massive game for both sides and something has to give, but in the end I think neither side will come away with the result they so eagerly crave. I’ll go for a share of points, United spurning their opportunity while West Ham’s party atmosphere is somewhat dampened.
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