Natalie Sawyer shares ‘huge problem’ for West Ham in prediction v Manchester United
Natalie Sawyer has expressed concerns about how West Ham will cope without Michail Antonio against Manchester United on Sunday.
Antonio, 31, is suspended for the visit of the Red Devils to the London Stadium after picking up a red card in last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Southampton.
Speaking in a video posted on Boyle Sports Twitter, talkSPORT presenter Sawyer has offered her prediction for Sunday’s clash.
“He’s a huge loss and now it all turns to who is going to fulfil the role of Michail Antonio,” Sawyer said.
“I know David Moyes has talked about it already and mentioned some like Jarrod Bowen as an option and they’ve obviously got Andriy Yarmolenko as well in the side.
“Some people have suggested Nikola Vlasic, their new signing, could also play in that role, but I think Moyes has sort of suggested he’s more of an attacking midfielder than, let’s say, a false number nine.
“So yes, it’s a huge problem for West Ham because without Michail Antonio they’ve lost a huge threat.”
She added: “I just feel as though [Manchester] United can turn it around and come back from that disappointing Champions League defeat and win this one 2-1.
Follow the February example
West Ham have recent experience of playing against Manchester United without their number nine.
The Irons made the trip to Old Trafford in February for an FA Cup last 16 tie.
Antonio was injured for the game and with no senior strikers left at the club following Sebastien Haller’s January exit to Ajax, Moyes was forced to shuffle his pack.
Yarmolenko was given the nod at centre-forward, while Bowen and Pablo Fornals were also lined up in attack in a fluid formation.
While the Irons were limited in their attacking ventures, they did at least force extra-time against a strong Manchester United line-up that included Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire, while Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani were second-half substitutes.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side could only claim an extra-time victory with a 97th minute Scott McTominay goal.
Moyes would surely be content to see the scores level after 90 minutes on Sunday.
In other West Ham news, Charlie Nicholas claims David Moyes is livid after this recent Irons incident.
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