United come into this tie on the back of a disappointing draw away to Fulham last week. The result was not a disaster but the manner in which it occurred was massively frustrating. When you are 2-1 up with five minutes to go with a penalty to come, it is criminal not to win the game to be honest. United are usually so clinical in closing out these types of encounters and this was uncharacteristic.
On the face of it this looks like the perfect game to appease the frustrations of Sunday: An evening kick off in Old Trafford against a struggling team that has shipped plenty of goals so far. It also looks like the perfect encounter for Wayne Rooney to re-announce himself to the football world.
It has been a rocky road for Rooney since March of this year. The World Cup went horribly wrong, both for England as a team and on a personal level. Being caught smoking on camera didn’t exactly help take the pressure off either. He has started ok this season but still looks a long way off his best.
To me, Rooney has always been a confidence player. It is plainly obvious when he is confident and when he is isn’t. You could see in the Newcastle game how badly he wanted that goal. He was snatching at shots from unlikely positions which is very unlike him. It would be great if he could get the monkey off his back today and get that illusive goal. He needs it to get his confidence back and United need him confident.
West Ham themselves couldn’t have a had a worse start to the season. They have shipped six goals in their opening two games – to Aston Villa and Bolton. Avram Grant has his work cut out at Upton Park. Having said this, they have some decent players. Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and Kieron Dyer are all good players and they may turn over a couple of decent sides this season.
I don’t see it happening this week though as confidence is low and getting a result at Old Trafford is way too big a task for a side that lost 3-1 at home to Bolton last week. United to win well and Rooney to score.
Prediction: United 3 – 1 West Ham
Check out the bosses mid week press conference below.
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Looking forward to this one especially as am over at the game. Think United need a good perfrormance after last week. You would have to expect Chelsea to win against Stoke and even though it is early days we really can’t afford to be losing any more ground. Chelsea don’t have any really tough games for the first 6 games so maximum points needed. I’d be looking for a couple from Rooney alright as he badly needs them! Wonder who will start with him, am guessing Berba