On Sunday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will welcome David Moyes, “The Chosen One”. Appointed by Sir Alex Ferguson as his replacement upon his retirement, Moyes has only now been showing the qualities Sir Alex saw in him back then. He is attempting to steer his West Ham team toward Champions League qualification. Getting West Ham’s first win at Old Trafford is a distinct possibility.

Solskjaer already beat West Ham 1-3 away in the league, but the Red Devils were unable to break down West Ham at Old Trafford during 90 minutes in the FA Cup and needed an extra-time goal from Scott McTominay to win it. A win for Manchester United will reduce the deficit to 11 pts while a win for West Ham, who have a game in hand, will move them to 4th place on 51 points.

United will be without Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, David de Gea and Donny van de Beek. Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford also look unlikely to be fit. Injuries could force Edinson Cavani back into the lineup.

The Hammers cannot play in-form Jesse Lingard against his parent club, while Angelo Ogbonna, Andriy Yarmolenko, Arthur Masuaku and Darren Randolph will not feature.

Manchester United are sure to set up using the familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. Amad Diallo is likely to make his first Premier League start for Manchester United after his impressive showing in the Champions League. Ole will be hoping Diallo can help turn around the Team’s fortunes in front of goal. The Red Devils have only scored four in the last six games. Both full-backs will seek to get forward in possession, as will McTominay. United; will link play through Bruno Fernandes in the attacking midfield or play to the wide forwards James and Diallo.

David Moyes has used the 3-4-2-1 as well as the 4-2-3-1 formation. He is likely to use the later due to United’s pace in wide areas and the counter-attacking threat presented. This fixture marks the first time Michail Antonio will feature against Manchester United this season. He was impressive against a then impervious Man City defence, scoring the equalizer before City scored the winner. Antonio is unstoppable when dribbling at defenders. The only way to stop him is to foul him. Enter Aaron Cresswell with a Team leading seven assists. He can distribute quality balls into dangerous areas for the likes of Soucek and Dawson to attack. Manchester United showed their vulnerability to set pieces against AC Milan with Kjaer scoring from a corner kick. With Lingard out, Soucek may have a greater responsibility to get forward and support the attack.

Moyes has more than a point to prove at Old Trafford. He will test United’s defensive solidity as he seeks Champions League glory. He goes against a United team depleted in the forward areas that are struggling to score goals. With his best attacker finally available and eight goals in the last five games, Moyes knows that fortune rewards the brave. His players must, therefore, be courageous. West Ham could knick it.