West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says Manchester United have been 'scary' this season

The sides meet at Upton Park in the Premier League this evening

Gordon Tynan
Wednesday 17 April 2013 07:17 EDT
Comments
The West Ham manager described Manchester United as awe-inspiring
The West Ham manager described Manchester United as awe-inspiring (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sam Allardyce, the West Ham manager, feels it has been "scary" to see Manchester United's dominance of the Premier League this season.

United could stretch their lead at the top of the table to 18 points with victory at Upton Park, which would leave them within touching distance of the title once again.

Allardyce believes the way Sir Alex Ferguson's side have gone about wrestling back superiority from rivals Manchester City, spearheaded by the goals of £24m signing Robin van Persie, has been awe-inspiring.

"You have to say the [United] team is as good as it has ever been because nobody normally wins the title so easily and by so big a margin, or has this much of a margin at this stage of the season," said Allardyce.

"It is pretty scary what total they might finish with. Manchester United have been outstanding. Their squad rotation has been Sir Alex's masterpiece as usual, about playing the right team at the right time.

"You could say that because they got knocked out of the Champions League a little sooner than usual and because they got knocked out of the FA Cup and Capital One Cup, it has given them the strength and energy to be what they are in the Premier League this year.

"They have not had the normal focus on three or four competitions almost to the end, the focus has come on the Premier League and they have just breezed it. Everyone else can't get near them."

West Ham have pushed United in their meetings this season – coming within moments of knocking them out of the FA Cup third round at home in January before Van Persie equalised deep into stoppage time.

"We will need to be on our best form, as always, if we are to get anything," said Allardyce, who has defensive problems with James Tomkins struggling with a calf injury and facing a fitness test.

Kick-off 7.45pm

Odds West Ham 9-2 Draw 11-4 Man United 4-6

Referee L Probert (South Gloucs) TV Sky Sports 2

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in