Manchester United will lock horns with West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday in a potentially crucial game for both sides’ top-four hopes.
The Red Devils are seventh in the league table and head into this fixture off the back of a 3-1 win over Brentford in midweek.
Goals from academy graduates—Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford—helped Ralf Rangnick’s side bounce back from the frustrating 2-2 draw with Aston Villa away last weekend.
West Ham, on the other hand, are fourth in the table. The Irons’ four-game winning streak across all competitions came to a sad end last weekend when they were beaten 3-2 by Leeds United at the London Stadium.
Despite the defeat to Leeds, David Moyes’ side will head to Old Trafford confident of taking all three points.
Manchester United vs West Ham United – Team News
Manchester United
Luke Shaw and Edinson Cavani missed the midweek Premier League game against Brentford after suffering hamstring and muscle problems respectively in training and remain unlikely to feature on Saturday.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has also been ruled out due to illness until after the international break, but Jadon Sancho should return to the Manchester United squad after missing the Brentford game due to personal reasons.
Meanwhile, Ralf Rangnick expects Scott McTominay to be available to face West Ham after being withdrawn in the dying minutes of the game against Thomas Frank’s side on Wednesday with a back spasm.
David de Gea is a definite starter in goal for the Red Devils, with a back four of Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane and Alex Telles guarding the Spaniard. The Manchester United backline, along with De Gea, will need to be at their best to keep a thrilling West Ham attack at bay.
In midfield, Scott McTominay will operate as the deepest of a midfield three again after putting in an impressive display against Brentford. Fred and Bruno Fernandes will operate as the advanced 8s, with the duo tasked to help the hosts dominate the ball and create openings for the forwards.
With Cavani likely to miss out with a muscle problem, Cristiano Ronaldo will spearhead Manchester United’s attack. The Portuguese will be flanked by Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford, who could get the nod to start ahead of Anthony Elanga.
West Ham United
As for West Ham, David Moyes is hopeful of having Tomas Soucek back from Covid-19, but Mark Noble’s knee injury will see him miss the trip to Old Trafford. Said Benrahma is away for the AFCON, while Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna remain out with injuries.
📍 Old Trafford
COME ON YOU IRONS!!! ⚒#MUNWHU pic.twitter.com/1J1uaiNiSb
— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 22, 2022
Lukas Fabianski is West Ham’s undisputed no.1 for the Hammers and should start against Manchester United.
Craig Dawson and Issa Diop will continue as a pair at centre-back, with the duo set to be tasked with the uphill task of keeping Ronaldo quiet. Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Cresswell will continue as full-backs.
Declan Rice is the one who keeps things ticking in midfield for West Ham. He will be partnered by Tomas Soucek, with Pablo Fornals operating in his usual no.10 role.
Jarrod Bowen and Manuel Lanzini add creativity, energy and pace to the front-line, making the Hammers potent on the break. They will occupy the wide roles and look to provide service for Michail Antonio to feast on in the box against the Red Devils.
Manchester United vs West Ham United – Predicted Lineups
Manchester United Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Alex Telles; Fred, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes; Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Cristiano Ronaldo
West Ham United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lukasz Fabianski; Vladimir Coufal, Issa Diop, Craig Dawson, Aaron Cresswell; Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek; Jarrod Bowen, Manuel Lanzini, Pablo Fornals; Michail Antonio
Manchester United vs West Ham United – Key Players
Manchester United—Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has found some form in recent weeks, bagging two goals and as many assists in back-to-back league games against Aston Villa and Brentford respectively. Manchester United will look to attack West Ham from the first minute, and the Portuguese’s incisive passing and vision should be key in breaching the rigid visitors’ backline.
West Ham—Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen has been involved in 19 goals for the Hammers this season. He has taken his game to the next level, adding a lot more assists and goals this term. With West Ham likely to sit back and counter-attack Manchester United at Old Trafford, Bowen’s pace and movement will come very handy on Saturday.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United