Five Facts: The numbers you need to know ahead of Man Utd vs West Ham

Manchester United were eliminated in the FA Cup semi-finals at the weekend but they must now approach they final two Premier League games of the season with cup final mentalities if they are to secure a top-four berth and Champions League football for next season.

As for Wednesday’s opponents, West Ham, however, they are not mathematically safe from the drop but in order to be relegated they would need to lose their last two games and also incur a huge goal swing. While it is plausible West Ham could lose to United and then against Aston Villa on the final day, their far superior goal difference means they are all but safe for another season.

Here are five need to know facts to brush up on ahead of United’s final home league game of the 2019/20 campaign.

A Premier League double on the cards for West Ham?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warned his Manchester United players at the start of 'Project Restart' against buying into their so-called 'easy' run-in of fixtures. He rightly highlighted adverse results in the reverse fixtures against some of their remaining opponents, including West Ham, who beat the Red Devils 2-0 at the London stadium in September. David Moyes' side will now attempt to complete their first Premier League double over United since the 2006/07. It was so long ago that the first ever iPhone hadn't even been released. There have been 19 new iPhone releases since then. Not only that but it would also be a first win at Old Trafford as an opposing manager for Moyes. The Scot has failed to win in 12 previous attempts (D3, L9).

Clean sheet record in sight for De Gea

The spot-light is firmly on David de Gea at the moment following another calamitous performance in Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final exit and some feel he is running out of time to keep the No.1 jersey for next season. However, he can offer a reminder of his qualities in Wednesday's crunch match against West Ham, if picked, with the 29-year-old needing just one more clean sheet to surpass Peter Schmeichel outright for most Premier League clean sheets by a United goalkeeper (currently 112). De Gea has endured a tough two-year period but perhaps setting such a milestone record would offer a reminder of what he can do and buy him some more time to salvage his Old Trafford career.

West Ham are Martial's favourite opponents

Anthony Martial has been in red-hot form since the Premier League restart with six goals and three assists in nine appearances in all competitions. The United No.9 also ranks second in our form guide, behind West Ham's Michail Antonio, and looks well placed to continue his purple patch against fancied opponents. In fact, the 24-year-old has scored more goals against West Ham (6 in 7 appearances) than any other opponent in his career.

Michail Antonio's dazzling form in numbers

Michail Antonio's recent displays have been nothing short of remarkable. The 29-year-old has scored seven goals in as many appearances since the restart and has surged into the top-10 WhoScored rated players in the Premier League this season. His four-goal haul against Watford marked the first time a West Ham player has scored a Premier League hat-trick in more than four years. If Antonio scores against United on Wednesday night, he will also become the first West Ham player since Marko Arnautovic in December 2017 to score in three straight league matches. All the more remarkable when you consider his goal haul post-lockdown makes him 18.9% of career tally in the Premier League.

West Ham away day woes late on

If West Ham are chasing the game late on at Old Trafford on Wednesday night then this season has shown they are likely to fall shot. David Moyes’ side are yet to score in the final 15 minutes of a Premier League away match this season. Staggeringly, you have to go back to December 2018 to find the last time West Ham did so when Felipe Anderson struck in stoppage time against Newcastle. At the same time, if West Ham have a lead at Old Trafford heading into that period of the game then don’t be surprised to see them wilt under pressure. The Hammers have conceded 28.6% of their Premier League away goals in the final 15 minutes of their matches this season.