Manchester United will look to go above West Ham United in the Premier League table when they host David Moyes’ side at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Red Devils bounced back from the frustrating 2-2 draw with Aston Villa with a 3-1 victory over Brentford in west London in a rearranged Premier League fixture on Wednesday.
Despite the midweek win, they stayed 7th in the league table, two points behind fourth-placed West Ham, albeit with a game in hand.
On Saturday, Ralf Rangnick and co. will be in for a stiff challenge against West Ham, who have enjoyed an excellent campaign so far and will head to Old Trafford in a buoyant mood.
Manchester United Team News
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been ruled out due to illness until after the international break, but Jadon Sancho is likely to return to the squad after missing the Brentford win due to personal reasons.
🎯 Targeting back-to-back #PL wins! ✊#MUFC | #MUNWHU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 22, 2022
Luke Shaw and Edinson Cavani missed the midweek league game after suffering issues in training and remain doubtful. However, Ralf Rangnick expects Scott McTominay to be available to face West Ham after being withdrawn in the dying minutes of the game at Brentford with a back problem.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup vs West Ham (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
David de Gea has been in outstanding form this season and demonstrated his class with a string of vital stops in the first half against Brentford. He is a sure-shot starter in goal on Saturday.
Defence
A tally of just one clean sheet from their last 15 league games at Old Trafford will be a matter of big concern for Ralf Rangnick. Yet, the German boss will likely stick with the same back four—Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Alex Telles—that started in the midweek win over Brentford.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup vs West Ham
Dalot and Telles have established themselves as regular starters in the Red Devils defence in recent weeks, providing the attacking impetus necessary from the full-back positions.
Midfield
Scott McTominay was excellent as the deepest in a midfield three against Brentford, displaying his passing range, tenacity and interception skills to great effect. Fred has done well in an advanced midfield role under Rangnick, while Bruno Fernandes seems to have found his mojo playing in a slightly withdrawn no.8 role in the new 4-3-3 formation.
A midfield three of Fred, McTominay and Fernandes are expected to start against the Hammers.
Attack
Young Anthony Elanga has repaid the interim manager’s faith with impressive back-to-back displays against Aston Villa and Brentford respectively. Despite netting his first goal of the season with a fine header at Brentford, Rangnick could freshen up Man United’s attack by bringing in Marcus Rashford for Elanga on Saturday.
Mason Greenwood and Cristiano Ronaldo are likely to retain their spots up front, as the Red Devils eye important three points at home.
