EPL SUNDAY FOOTBALL:5 WAYS WEST HAM COULD PUNISH MAN UTD

SOURCE: Fcnaija.com

West Ham United have not lost in their last two visits to Old Trafford and the Hammers may just hurt Manchester United this afternoon if they can do these five things effectively.

Slaven Bilic’s men defeat the Red Devils 3-2 in their final game at Upton Park before moving to the Olympic stadium but they’ve not started the season well as they have lost five of their six top-flight away games.

"Jose Mourinho is one of the greatest. Statistically, at home, there are probably no better. But it's hard to stay at that standard and maybe that's dropped now," Bilic told reporters. "I'm confident that, if we cut out some of the mistakes we made on Saturday and, with a little bit of luck, we can pick up a result on Sunday."

Strong defensive shape

 Manchester United have won just twice this season at home against Southampton and champions Leicester City and have drawn three consecutive matches in front of their fans at Old Trafford and teams like Arsenal and Burnley achieved remarkable draws by staying defensively strong after being out played.

The Hammers needs to defend as a unit despite the absence of Winston Reid due to suspension and try grind out a result.

Utilize set-piece

Manchester United can be vulnerable from set pieces especially with Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly not available due to injury. Dimitri Payet can deliver deadly balls into the box for big lads like James Collins and Andy Caroll (if he plays) to attack. Not forgetting Antonio who has already scored 11 goals from headers.

Quick counter-attacks

No doubt the Red Devils will have most of the possession playing at home so the Hammers needs to be lighting quick on the counter-attack whenever United loses the ball in their half.

Must lock Mata out

Juan Mata has had his issues with Jose Mourinho in the past but he is arguably Manchester United’s best player this season under the Portuguese and has scored in his last two games and West Ham needs to stop him from influencing the game.

Hammers strikers must start scoring

This season West Ham United’s summer forward additions Andre Ayew, Simone Zaza, and Ashley Fletcher have fired blanks and needs to change that this afternoon if they are to get their first win at Old Trafford since 2007 when a Carlos Tevez winner saved them from relegation.