Back-Line Injuries Leave United Light For Hammers Clash

Premier League

Football
Published: 26/09/2014

Manchester United`s torrid start got a bit more torrid with manager Louis van Gaal`s announcement that his team will only have one available first-team defender ahead of tomorrow`s (27th September) clash with Sam Allardyce`s West Ham United. The Hammers are jubilant after their 3-1 trouncing of title hopefuls Liverpool last weekend.

United`s defensive woes mean that World Cup runner-up Marcus Rojo is expected to be joined by either 21-year-old Tom Thorpe or 19-year-old Paddy McNair, neither player yet to make their debut for the 20-time league champions. Under-21 captain, Thorpe played six games on loan at Birmingham City last season in the side`s fight against relegation from the Championship. Of those games he played, the West Midlands team recorded one win, a draw and four defeats, conceding 16 and being unable to keep a clean sheet.

Little is known about Northern Irishman McNair who has worked his way through the Manchester United ranks after signing on in 2012/13. Though initially employed as a midfielder, the Ballyclare-born youngster now considers himself a centre-back and made his debut for the Under-21 side in the UEFA Youth League against Bayer Leverkusen, where he was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

Van Gaal`s selection troubles are the result of a red card picked up by another promoted starlet, Tyler Blackett in the team`s shock 5-3 defeat at the hands of Premier League newcomers Leicester City last weekend. Blackett had been a surprise staple at the heart of the Red Devils` defensive line-up before he brought down Jamie Vardy in the box with a naive challenge, allowing Leonardo Ulloa to convert his 83rd minute penalty. The loss was the first time that the Reds had lost a Premier League game after being two goals in front. The 20-year-old will be hoping that he will be able to squeeze back into the size once his suspension has been served. Prior to Blackett`s indiscipline, Jonny Evans left the field after sustaining ankle damage, joining long-term absentee Phil Jones and Chris Smalling on the sidelines. Jones picked up a thigh injury whilst on England duty earlier this month, whilst Smalling sustained a damaged ankle late this week.

In light of this, the odds on the number of goals West Ham will put past David de Gea make interesting reading. The Claret and Blues are 17/10 with Betvictor to score exactly one, and are 9/2 (Betvictor, william hill) to net twice. william hill are offering 16/1 on West Ham hitting exactly three.

The bookmakers, it seems, still have confidence in van Gaal`s men. Despite their defensive frailties and lack of form, Manchester United have been made the clear 2/5 (Numerous) favourites for tomorrow`s match-up. bet365 are offering odds of 9/2 on the game ending a draw whilst West Ham are a massive 15/2 with Spreadex to cause two upsets in the space of week. The Hammers are looking for their first win against the Old Trafford side since their 4-0 victory in the League Cup back in 2010. They were last triumphant over them in the league in 2007 with a 2-1 win at Upton Park.

Eighth-placed Hammers will have attempt to conquer this and send United into a further tailspin without a trio of key faces. Seven million pound man Cheikhou Kouyate will be out for six weeks following West Ham`s impressive win over the `Pools. Twenty-four-year-old Kouyate left the field with ten minutes remaining though could not be replaced as manager Allardyce had used all his permitted substitutions. He joins Matt Jarvis and captain Kevin Nolan on the sidelines, the pair training though not yet ready to play after overcoming their respective thigh and shoulder injuries.

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Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (26/09/2014) but are subject to change.

26/09/2014     © Frixo 2024

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