Carling Cup – Match Preview: West Ham United versus Manchester United
Both the English Premier League clubs take on each other in what is expected to be an exciting encounter at the Upton park stadium in London. Manchester United will be favourites to win the match in question which takes place as a part
of the Carling Cup’s quarter final round. Manchester United sealed their place in the quarter final match after they blitzed past Wolverhampton Wanderers in the round of sixteen. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men did hard work against the minnows as a late goal by Javier
Hernandez pulled the Red Devils through as they won by three goals to two.
West Ham United on the other hand have had a terrible start to the English league season. Still in the bottom three of the Premier League standings, the club has gone through turmoil after turmoil in the present football season. In the
summer, Avram Grant replaced Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park but this new appointment hasn’t turned out to be a great one for the Hammers as Grant is under pressure to produce results for the team which only just escaped relegation during the 2009-2010 season.
West Ham United made their way to the quarter finals of the Carling Cup, after they won 3-1 against Stoke City.
In their last league match, West Ham United bested Wigan Athletic as Grant’s men ran out as final winners by three goals to one. It was a morale boosting win for the Irons who lost their previous league match to Liverpool F.C at Anfield.
The win against Wigan also eased a bit of pressure on Avram Grant who was a favourite to lose his job at West Ham United’s manager in the month of December. The win has given West Ham, a good base to build on as they prepare to face Manchester United. However,
Manchester United also won their latest league match against Blackburn F.C by seven goals to one as Dimitar Berbatov scored five for the former English champions to seal the win at Old Trafford.
Nonetheless, Berbatov might not play at Upton Park on Tuesday night as Ferguson usually gives a chance to his fringe players in the Carling Cup competition. It is quite possible that the Scotsman will give a rare start to the likes of
Gibson, Obertan, Bebe, Smalling and Fabio. In defence, one can expect that Chris Smalling will make yet another appearance for the Red Devils whereas in attack, Federico Macheda is anticipated to lead the line.
On the other hand, West Ham United are expected to play their full strength team as the Carling Cup competition might be their only chance of silverware this season. Given the fact that the Hammers have not played as much football as other
sides in the league due to the absence of European Cup commitments, Avram Grant is expected to field a full strength side with Benny McCarthy leading the line. Scott Parker might miss the match as he didn’t play in West Ham’s last league encounter against
Wigan as well due to a groin strain. All in all it is expected to a thrilling encounter with a potentially massive upset on the cards as both the sides take the field at Upton Park.
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