The two Capital One Cup semi-finalists meet at Old Trafford on Saturday, with both teams in need of a win in the Premier League. Manchester United haven’t won at home since their 1-0 win against Arsenal in mid November, while West Ham’s last away win came at White Hart Lane in early October.
Team News
Wayne Rooney will have a late fitness test for the hosts, while Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick will miss the match through injury. Nemanja Vidic and Marouane Fellaini may return to the squad. West Ham will be without Andy Carroll, Ricardo vaz Te, Winston Reid and Stewart Downing, while James Tomkins may be fit to make the match-day squad.
Interesting Statistics
United are unbeaten in their last nine league games against the Hammers.
West Ham United have drawn five 0-0 games in the Premier League this season, the most in the Premier League.
Key Players:
Adnan Januzaj
The United youngster has taken the Premier League by storm, and although not deserving of a Young Sports Personality of the Year nomination, he has helped his team massively out in the attacking third so far this season.
In 10 appearances for United (4 from the bench) – Adnan Januzaj has scored 2 goals and created a goal for his side.
In terms of shots, the Belgian is averaging a shot every 44 minutes, a shot on target every 88 minutes; with a chance conversion rate of 14%, while creatively, Januzaj has created a chance every 68 minutes, totalling 9 chances created; dribbling at his opponents 39 times this season, successfully evading his opponent 21 times.
Ravel Morrison
The former Manchester United youngster has had a stellar first season for the Hammers, scoring 3 goals and creating 2 assists for the Hammers.
Morrison is averaging a shot every 68 minutes, a shot on target every 255 minutes – with a chance conversion rate of 20%, while creatively; Morrison has created a chance every 102 minutes , totalling 10 chances created; dribbling at his opponents 55 times this season, successfully dribbling past his opponent 31 times.
If the former youth product starts at Old Trafford on Saturday, it’s unsure of the reception he will bring, but one thing is for sure is that Sam Allardyce needs him to be at his best to combat the opposite midfield.