Manchester United vs. West Ham: Key Issues That Will Shape Premier League Game
It looked so good for Manchester United for an hour of play against Leicester City. The Red Devils' front line controlled the game as they looked to put the Foxes to the sword, in style.
But questionable refereeing and a lack of courage from United saw Louis van Gaal's team collapse like a house of cards, in a freak storm.
LvG will be looking for a more positive result this Saturday as West Ham visit Old Trafford.
The Hammers have seven points from their first five Premier League matches, per PremierLeague.com—two more points than United.
A win in the north-west could propel Sam Allardyce's team into the coveted top four.
Here, we take a look at the key issues that will determine the outcome of this top-flight match.
United's Defence in Crisis, Debut for Paddy McNair?
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Manchester United's season so far has been a tale of beautiful attacking play mixed with ugly defending.
The Reds are still very much adjusting to Louis van Gaal's philosophy and playing football out from the back has been a huge task without Rio Ferdinand.
But United's injury list has crippled LvG's options, with Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling unable to stay fit for any sustained period of time.
The Dutch boss could turn to youth product Paddy McNair, as he looks to plug the gaps at centre-back, per Jack De Menezes of The Independent. The 19-year-old has impressed in the under-21 side and could find himself promoted in the same fashion as Tyler Blackett.
United have so far failed to find a defensive chemistry between the back line and the midfield, and West Ham could exploit this to Van Gaal's detriment.
Should Robin Van Persie Be Dropped?
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Robin van Persie got back to scoring ways against Leicester City, after dispatching a beautiful cross from Radamel Falcao.
But the Dutch striker has failed to find his best overall form of two year previous.
United are in transition, and with the high-profile attacking additions of Falcao and Angel Di Maria, RvP is battling to prove his worth.
The strong relationship between Louis van Gaal and player could prove both a help and a hindrance to Van Persie—he will clearly want to do well for the manager but could the added emotional pressure hurt his game?
Van Gaal has to decide who partners Falcao against West Ham—either his captain, Wayne Rooney—or the player he knows the best at Old Trafford.
Where Should Louis Van Gaal Play Wayne Rooney?
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Wayne Rooney is very much the "Marmite" footballer of Manchester United.
You either love him and everything he does—or you simply do not!
Wayne has been neither good nor bad in United's opening matches, drifting in and out of games as his fellow star players take the headlines.
Rooney dropped back into the hole in place of Juan Mata against Leicester, and failed to show the creative quality that a top side needs from its No. 10.
Louis van Gaal must now decide whether to recall Mata into his side, but it will not be at the expense of Rooney.
The manager has made it clear that his skipper "has privileges" other players do not, per ESPN, and you would expect this means that Rooney will not be dropped anytime soon.
The clearest option for this match seems to be either playing Rooney as a striker with Falcao, or leaving Mata once again on the sidelines.
Which Formation Will Louis Van Gaal Favour?
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There is no doubting that Louis van Gaal's philosophy is based on attacking football but he is still scratching around for a settled formation.
And his lack of quality defensive options have pushed him towards 5-3-2, as it did with the Netherlands at the World Cup.
LvG might see this game as the correct time to revisit the tactic after shipping five goals at Leicester, whilst playing a progressive 4-4-2 Diamond.
Van Gaal knows he needs to get results before the season progresses further and the first way of achieving this is by locking the door of the defence.
The returning Michael Carrick could be used as an auxiliary centre-back, with Marcos Rojo and Paddy McNair flanking him. This will also allow Luke Shaw to make his debut for United and offer Rafael extra cover on the inside.
A 5-3-2 may be viewed as too defensive for a home match but with United so fragile in defence, the manager might have little choice.
West Ham to Press United
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West Ham have started the season well, dispatching Liverpool with some style in their last game, at Upton Park.
They are also unbeaten in their two away matches in the Premier League this season, per PremierLeague.com, having defeated Crystal Palace and drawing with Hull.
But the Hammers will be hoping to not suffer a Manchester United backlash as the Red Devils star signings start to blend and produce further signs of chemistry.
However, Sam Allardyce may feel that attack is his best form of defence, as United's core shows signs of fragmentation.
West Ham have score nine times so far this season and will feel they can add to this total at Old Trafford.
Has David De Gea's Form Slipped?
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David De Gea has rightfully been lauded for his performances in the last two years, proving that Sir Alex Ferguson was right to invest the time and money to bring him to Old Trafford.
But there has been some worrying signs of a lack of intensity from the player since the World Cup.
De Gea's performances have not been poor but, like Wayne Rooney, he seems to be finding it troublesome to find his best form.
DDG has seen the ball fly past him on too many occasions this season and it will not be helping his confidence.
One of the most impressive parts of the goalkeeper's game is his ability to meet the ball effectively with his feet, having the qualities of a sweeper on the edge of his area.
However, it is clear that De Gea is having issues with this recently, opting to stay back on his line, more than previously.
This simply may be an instruction from the manager but it has not bred a trust between the player and his defence.
United need De Gea to be at his best in the next few months as Louis van Gaal figures out how to get the most from every player in his team.
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