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Manchester United travel to the London Stadium on Saturday on the back of their Carabao Cup loss against Championship side Derby County.
The Frank Lampard-managed outfit stretched the Red Devils, leading the scoreline till the 90th minute before Marouane Fellaini rescued United with a header. That took the football game into penalties which Derby dutifully pocketed 8-7.
West Ham, on the other hand, have had two impressive performances in as many games. After holding title-challengers Chelsea and breaking their winning spree at the London Stadium on Sunday, the Hammers dispatched League 2 side Macclesfield Town 8-0 at the same venue.
West Ham are in red-hot form and would want to spring a surprise or two against the shaky Manchester United. If Jose Mourinho wants to avoid that, here are four mistakes he cannot make on Saturday:
#1. Playing Antonio Valencia at right-back
Mourinho's justification of Diogo Dalot not being ready for the Premier League yet is meaningless and reeks of utter nonsense. The young Portuguese needs to be thrust into the action and heat of the Premier League, especially since Antonio Valencia is proving to be a liability to the team. The ageing winger from Equador has lost his legs and can no longer make pressing runs on the right-hand side of the United offence. He has shameful crossing skills too. Dalot should be Mourinho's man.
#2. Playing Alexis Sanchez
Playing Alexis Sanchez on the left wing of United's attack can only be disastrous as the Chilean cannot provide what the Red Devils want. Anthony Martial is the better option here. Mourinho should stick with Frenchman Martial if he wants crosses, passes, lob balls and a bout of sudden pace on the left-wing. The problem should be addressed in the January transfer window and a proper winger brought in.
#3. Keeping Marouane Fellaini on the bench
Manchester United cannot afford to keep Marouane Fellaini on the bench. He has been by far their best player this season. This will create a selection dilemma of sorts as only two among Fellaini, Nemanja Matic and Fred can be accommodated to play as the holding midfielders beside Paul Pogba as the attacking midfielder. Fred scored a goal last time around and Matic has been great at blunting opposition attacks so this will most likely cause Mourinho a lot of lack of sleep. Fellaini has been the go-to man between United's defence and offence. He has performed his duties very well.
#4. Playing Jesse Lingard as the RW
Let us admit it- Jesse Lingard is not made for playing on the right wing. He is at his best when he plays as the CAM right behind striker Romelu Lukaku. Lingard can wreak havoc when he plays at his preferred position. The England international should not be made to play on the right wing and instead, Juan Mata should be given another opportunity. Mata scored a goal in United's Carabao Cup tie against Frank Lampard's Derby County and this could be the chance that he is looking for. The gentle Spaniard, widely accepted as the most-liked footballer on earth might be needing just this as the impetus to push his career forward.
#5. Not going for the jugular
Mourinho needs to admit that the style of football advocated by him is not going to win him trophies in the modern-day game. He needs to go for the jugular and ask his wards to play in a fearless environment. Manchester United need to dominate and show exactly what they are and prove to West Ham why the latter deserve to be 17th in the Premier League.
