Van Gaal’s men face a challenging trip to Upton Park to round up the weekend’s action this Sunday, looking to stay in touch with rivals Manchester City who face a considerably less problematic home tie against Hull City.
If history is anything to go by, the visitors are runaway favourites; 11 wins in their last 12 meetings – and an impressive seven clean sheets – provides a dispiriting welcome to a home side ridden with defensive injuries.
First choice centre backs Winston Reid and James Collins are unlikely to be given the all clear ahead of the game with James Tomkins and Carl Jenkinson likely to be risked by a reluctant Allardyce with no other options presenting themselves.
In contrast, van Gaal’s only concern is Michael Carrick after Ashley Young scribbled his name off the injury list following his return in the FA Cup Fourth round replay against Cambridge.
Despite scoring six in their last two matches, the bleak second half against Leicester and the insipid display against Southampton have left many fans frustrated; and, with just 7 points separating the two sides, van Gaal will be hoping his front line can find the menace and ruthlessness that the vast majority were expecting prior to the start of the season.
After a quiet transfer window, where deals for Kevin de Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte failed to come to fruition, van Gaal will have rely upon those he has placed his faith in all season.
Luckily then, van Gaal has Wayne Rooney in his side who boasts a remarkable 10 goals in his last nine appearances against the Hammers as the traveling fans will be hoping the number 10 can replicate his strike from the halfway line in this fixture last term.
The United man however will probably find himself in the reserved role he has unenthusiastically had to grow accustomed to. With almost a fully fit squad it will be interesting to see how van Gaal lines his men up against West Ham.
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