FA Cup

West Ham could spring FA Cup surprise against Manchester United with this simple change

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West Ham United boss David Moyes should consider revering to a 3-5-2 system against Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round clash tonight.

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The Hammers manager has limited options at centre-forward ahead of the game against Man United at Old Trafford.

Michail Antonio has seemed extremely fatigued over the past few games. It is clear for everyone to see that the 30-year-old is desperately in need of a rest.

David Moyes could start Mipo Odubeko through the middle of course. Or Andriy Yarmolenko could get the nod.

Perhaps there’s a better option, however.

West Ham United Training Session
Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United FC via Getty Images

West Ham could spring FA Cup surprise against Manchester United

David Moyes should consider switching to a 3-5-2 formation, drafting in Ben Johnson at left wing-back.

Pablo Fornals, signed for £25 million in the summer of 2019 (Telegraph), could then accompany Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice in the middle of the park.

This would prevent us from being overrun in midfield – something that has happened against the bigger teams this season, notably the games against Tottenham and Liverpool.

Moyes should then deploy Jarrod Bowen in the centre-forward position with Said Benrahma playing just off of the 24-year-old in a free role.

The former Hull ace is s superb finisher and his willingness to run the channels will give us a real outlet when under the cosh against Manchester United.

FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-WOLVES
Photo by JUSTIN SETTERFIELD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

David Moyes has worked wonders since taking over at the London Stadium for the second time in December 2019.

One criticism of the Scot, however, is that he rarely changes his tactics up in order to exploit the opposition.

He has the perfect chance to do just that against the Red Devils in the FA Cup 5th round though.

Perhaps West Ham could spring a surprise against Manchester United. Whether Moyes is brave enough to switch formations and bring Johnson and Fornals in for Antonio and the cup-tied Jesse Lingard whilst switching formations, however, remains to be seen.