Having stumbled along in sixth place, Manchester United are hitting a run of form that has pushed them to within touching distance of the top four. After enduring a terrible October, moving to 4 – 3 – 3 is paying dividends.

With a relatively kind fixture list between now and the end of February Manchester derby, it’s a time for United to take the opportunity to put pressure on Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool. From an autumn where his every decision was questioned, Jose Mourinho’s popularity is on the rise.

West Ham’s season has been less illustrious. After last year, hopes were high for another challenge for the Europa League spots. The move to the new stadium has scuppered that with the Hammers barely above the relegation zone but Slaven Bilic has since guided them to relative safety of mid-table.

Whether it’s enough for the club’s owners is another matter. Contract talks with the Croat are on hold for the moment with David Sullivan’s dream of Champions League and Premier League glory as far away from reality as it sounded at the time.

West Ham gave Manchester United a bloody nose in May last year, winning 3 – 2 in the Premier League and took a point at Old Trafford in November; can they continue their good form this time as well.

WEST HAM UNITED

The Hammers had high hopes for their move to the Olympic Stadium but on and off the pitch, they have been flirting with disaster. Dmitri Payet is heavily linked with a move away, issuing a ‘come and get me’ plea to Arsenal recently.

Form was worrying until October when a run of three wins, including knocking Chelsea out of the EFL Cup, instilled confidence into the XI. Since then, only Arsenal have thrashed Bilic’s men in the Premier League although the unbeaten run came to a juddering halt at the King Power over the weekend.

The Hammers were unfortunate not to take a point, only undone by a fabulous Islam Slimani header. Other than that spell of the game, West Ham controlled the match with a cutting edge in front of goal being the only thing missing.

Michail Antonio leads their scoring charts with the versatile defender-cum-midfielder-cum-striker with 8 goals this season. Having scored 5 in 5 earlier this season, Antonio’s goals are less frequent now but three in the last eight is a threat the Manchester United defence cannot ignore.

Injuries are Bilic’s biggest problem and Mark Noble’s injury at Leicester proved a pivotal moment in that game. The captain and player who epitomises the club’s soul, Noble leaves a huge gap in the West Ham midfield. Edimilson Fernandes is expected to get the nod ahead of Patrick Obiang as his replacement.

Andy Carroll’s goal at Swansea during the recent 4 – 1 win was a welcome way to end his drought. The former Liverpool man has been impoverished in front of goal with 11 in 42 appearances in the past season and a half.

Simone Zaza, signed in the summer on loan, is set to return to Juventus after a disastrous spell in London so the former England man needs to find the net more regularly if West Ham are to progress beyond mid-table.

For a while, West Ham enjoyed wrecking Manchester United’s title dreams but we’re a long way from those days for both clubs. The Hammers need to rediscover their confidence but are reliant upon Dmitri Payet to act as provider. He and Manuel Lanzini carry the creative weight on their shoulder but have so far, failed to recapture past glories. It’s hard not to question whether Payet’s head was turned by the attention he received in the summer for his performances at Euro 2016.

Neither is finding the net which leaves West Ham’s traditionally porous defences exposed. Darren Randolph has been in fine form in the Hammers goal but must sometimes feel that he is fighting a one-man rearguard action.

Slaven Bilic is right to be concerned about his squad’s future but with a relatively kind fixture list, the Croat must be confident that his side can pick up the necessary points to take them up the table. A win against Manchester United will get them off to a good start.

MANCHESTER UNITED

What a difference to the mood around Old Trafford! Unbeaten in 12 in all competitions (W9, D3), Jose Mourinho’s men are flying in the Premier League where they are on a run of eleven unbeaten. The 0 – 4 drubbing at Stamford Bridge seems such a long time ago.

The introduction of Henrikh Mkhitaryan has proven to be a catalyst for United’s improvement. Three goals in the last four games, the Armenian gives the attack width they were so desperately missing. With the 4 – 3 – 3 Mourinho is now employing, the former Dortmund player is beginning to find his feet in English football.

The concern is that Middlesbrough should have left Old Trafford with a point. A second minute wasted chance by Adama Traore proved vital; had the Teesiders taken the lead, United would needed to leave more gaps at the back. Ifs, buts and maybes; United were thankful to the misfiring Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba for two late strikes which gave them the points.

Surprisingly in some respects, United are still struggling for goals in the Premier League. Just 29 scored in their 19 games. They remain heavily reliant upon Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has scored 12 with 3 assists in that total. Defensively they are improving though; just three conceded in the last five but the lack of goals, as with Tottenham earlier in the year, may yet cause them longer term problems.

Wayne Rooney is expected to miss this match with his thigh injury continuing to cause problems but Michael Carrick returns to the squad in time to face his old club. Rooney remains United’s main provider this season with 5 assists in the Premier League and despite indifferent form before his injury, remains a vital cog in the United wheel.

Reports of a move to China have been downplayed for the moment but with reports of silly money being offered for both fees and salaries, nothing can be ruled out. The MSL remains the most likely destination this summer with the England striker expected to follow the path trodden by David Beckham and Steven Gerrard to LA Galaxy.

Eric Bailly has left to join the Ivory Coast squad for the Africa Cup of Nations which may mean a reprieve for Phil Jones although a reshuffle in the defence bringing in Marcos Rojo instead can’t be ruled out.

Mourinho seems more content with his squad at the moment but with £100m burning a hole in his pocket, additions can’t be ruled out this month. That may see the underperforming Smalling leave although Phil Jones was coveted by Arsène Wenger last summer so may see the Arsenal manager make a move for the former Blackburn defender.

United have tripped up at Upton Park in the past but West Ham’s players and supporters have yet to make the Olympic Stadium the fortress their old home could be. Expect the Red Devils to take full advantage of that this time around.

FORM (Last six games)

West Ham United - LDWWWL
Manchester United - WWWWWW

STATS

• West Ham are unbeaten in the last four Premier League meetings between the two sides (W1, D3).

• Although Manchester United are unbeaten in 14 of their last 15 meetings in all competitions.

• Michail Antonio is the Premier League’s top goalscorer with headers this season, with 7.

• Paul Pogba has hit the woodwork 5 times in the PL this season. Only Kevin De Bruyne has been unluckier.

• Manchester United have scored twice or more times in 6 of their last 7 away games against West Ham.

CURRENT MATCH ODDS (BEST PRICED ODDS)

West Ham: 5/1 (with Bet365 - Bet Here!)     Draw: 31/10 (with BetVictor - Bet Here!)     Manchester United (7/10 with Coral - Bet Here!)

HEAD TO HEAD

Last six meetings
30/11/2016    EFL Cup - Manchester United    4 : 1    West Ham    
27/11/2016    Premier League - Manchester United    1 : 1    West Ham    
10/05/2016    Premier League - West Ham        3 : 2    Manchester United    
13/04/2016    FA Cup - West Ham        1 : 2    Manchester United    
13/03/2016    FA Cup - Manchester United    1 : 1    West Ham    
05/12/2015    Premier League - Manchester United    0 : 0    West Ham   

SUMMING UP!

Even though West Ham are unbeaten at home since Arsenal trounced them 1 – 5 at the beginning of December, Manchester United are in a good unbeaten run. Confidence is high and their resilience was there for all to see against Middlesbrough at the weekend.

Both sides can look to a decent record in this fixture although the Hammers are more likely to look at the past than the Mancunians. Slaven Bilic needs a win in a big match this season to give the players and supporters a boost.

They took a point at Anfield with a gritty display and Bilic needs a repeat of that to get any joy from this fixture.

MY PREDICTION

West Ham United    1 – 2     Manchester United - ( 8/1 with BetVictor – Bet here! )

MY RECOMMENDED BETS

•  Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score, United to win (17/10 with Ladbrokes – Bet here!)

• Michail Antonio to score with a header (9/1 with Sky Bet – Bet here!)

• Paul Pogba to hit woodwork (6/1 with Unibet – Bet here!)

• Henrikh Mkhitaryan to score first goal (7/1 with Bet365 – Bet here!)

• Draw / Manchester United FT (18/5 with BetVictor – Bet here!)

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