Romelu Lukaku taking on Javier Hernandez the key battle as Manchester United kick-off against West Ham this weekend
Jose Mourinho, having spent £150million in the transfer market this summerbut did the Hammers get the best deal for Mexican finisher?
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Manchester United endured a topsy-turvy 2016/17 season, finishing a disappointing sixth in the Premier League but triumphing in the Europa League and League Cup.
Jose Mourinho, having spent £150million in the transfer market this summer and with at least one more addition anticipated, must deliver a title challenge this season; the Portuguese coach will need a solid start to the campaign when West Ham United travel to Old Trafford for the first fixture of 2017/18.
The Hammers have also been active in the market, adding Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Marko Arnautovic and former United favourite Javier Hernandez; Slaven Bilic will be confident of getting a result against the Red Devils.
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The game takes place at 4pm on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Our friends at Football Whispers have broken down the key battles and where the game will be won and lost.
Key Battle: Lukaku vs Fonte
Signed from Everton for £75million, Lukaku has impressed in pre-season and registered a first competitive goal for his new club in the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The powerful Belgian striker will be looking to hit the ground running in the Premier League, and a maiden goal at Old Trafford would set the tone for a positive campaign.
Tasked with thwarting Lukaku, the West Ham backline will have to be disciplined and organised, unaffected by the former Chelsea player’s movement. The experience of ex-Southampton captain Jose Fonte will be crucial.
Potential Match-winners: Paul Pogba & Javier Hernandez
After an indifferent first season back in the Premier League following his then-world-record £89million return to United from Juventus, great things are expected of Pogba this season.
The gifted Frenchman holds the hopes of United fans in his hands, with many believing he is the man to guide the Red Devils back to their former glories. To avoid any early-season doubts creeping in, a virtuoso display against the Hammers would be an ideal tonic.
West Ham have finally ended their pursuit of a proven, top-class striker thanks to the £13million signing of Hernandez from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
The 29-year-old Mexican poacher was a fan favourite during his time at Old Trafford and, despite the fact he has admitted he may not celebrate if he scores, a goal against his old club would be the perfect way to reintroduce himself to the Premier League audience.
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Tactics
Mourinho has experimented with a 3-5-2 formation over the summer and stuck with the set-up for the Super Cup.
Although the Portuguese tactician appears keen to further investigate a three-at-the-back approach with his side, a tried and trusted 4-3-3 remains the most likely formation for Sunday.
With Matic in place to anchor midfield, Pogba will, in theory, be able to push forward to join the attack at will, enabling United to morph into something akin to a 4-1-4-1 shape in possession.
West Ham will, understandably, take a more conservative approach on their visit to Old Trafford, although Bilic’s line-up with be packed with attacking potency.
A 4-4-1-1 system, with Hernandez leading the line and Manuel Lanzini scheming in the hole, could prove difficult for United to break down while posing a threat on the counter.
Line-ups
United will be without Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo, and with Daley Blind exhibiting poor pre-season form, Matteo Darmian is likely to keep his place at left-back.
After struggling to impact the game against Real Madrid in mid-week, Jesse Lingard could miss out in favour of Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial.
Angelo Ogbonna missed the end of last season through injury but is thought to be winning his battle to recover fitness in time for the new campaign. Michail Antonio is out so Andre Ayew and Arnautovic are options for the flanks.
Key Stats
United have dominated this fixture in the Premier League era, winning 26 of the 42 meetings between the two clubs, losing only five.
In those 42 games, United have scored 87 goals to West Ham’s 37.