The upcoming Premier League clash between Manchester United and West Ham United has taken a dramatic turn before kick-off and United are left with a valuable advantage.
The catalyst? The controversial red card given to West Ham creative leader Lucas Paquetá during their 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
Paquetá was sent off in the 84th minute after two yellow cards in quick succession, both for dissent against referee Darren England.
According to match reports, his first booking came after a verbal protest but rather than calm down, Paquetá persisted. He continued to argue even after repeated warnings to continue playing, leading to a second yellow and an inevitable straight red.
Lucas Paqueta to miss Man United match
Afterwards, Paquetá addressed the media and his supporters, apologizing but with a twist.
He harshly criticized the Football Association (FA), alleging the body failed to provide “psychological support” during the two-year match-fixing investigation that engulfed him before he was cleared earlier this year.
He admitted that his behavior was partly due to the emotional strain of the ordeal.
For West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, the red card poses an immediate tactical headache. With their most creative midfielder suspended, West Ham will likely have to reshuffle their midfield just as they struggle to get out of trouble.
United confident after beating Crystal Palace
Meanwhile, Man United, fresh from an away win at Crystal Palace, will see this as a golden opportunity to extend their momentum.
The victory, which ended Palace’s nine-month unbeaten run at Selhurst Park, demonstrated United’s ability to achieve results even when they are not at their best.
While West Ham are likely to come into this game under pressure, both mentally following Paquetá’s red card and structurally due to a void in midfield, Man United have every reason to believe that discipline, focus and ruthless realism could yield three points.
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