Manchester United will welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford on Sunday for a Premier League encounter, hoping to get closer to the top four.
The Red Devils are on a seven-game unbeaten run since the chastening 6-3 defeat in the Manchester derby. They clinched a point at the death against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend, courtesy of a stoppage-time header from Casemiro.
Erik ten Hag’s side head into Sunday’s fixture off the back of a 3-0 win over FC Sheriff in the Europa League in midweek, thus, booking their spot in the knockout rounds of the competition.
Manchester United Team News
Harry Maguire and Donny Van de Beek made their comebacks from injury in the Europa League win over FC Sheriff while Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return from suspension with a goal.
Anthony Martial has returned to training following a lower back injury but remains out for now, along with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe.
Raphael Varane has been ruled out until the World Cup with a hamstring injury.
Predicted Man United Lineup vs West Ham (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
David de Gea kept a clean sheet in the Europa League win over FC Sheriff and will be hoping for an encore against West Ham at Old Trafford.
Defence
Diogo Dalot scored his first goal this season, a smashing first-half header against FC Sheriff in midweek. He is a certainty to start at right-back while Luke Shaw should replace Tyrell Malacia at left-back in the Man United lineup.
The Man United full-backs will play an important role in stretching the West Ham side that is expected to sit deep and look to break on the counter.
Victor Lindelof is likely to deputise in Raphael Varane’s injury absence, partnering Lisandro Martinez in central defence in the Man United lineup. The centre-back duo must come up with a plan to stop Gianluca Scamacca from meeting crosses in the box.
Harry Maguire could be a surprise inclusion if Ten Hag feels his aerial prowess might give his team an advantage over the physically imposing Hammers.
Midfield
Casemiro has brought a lot of stability and calmness to United’s midfield whilst providing the defence with much-needed protection. He has nailed down his spot in the team, with the Brazilian expected to form the double pivot in the Man United lineup with Christian Eriksen, whose passing range and vision will be key in penetrating the West Ham defence.
Bruno Fernandes will be tasked with pulling the strings in the final third.
Donny Van de Beek could be involved off the bench in the latter stages of the game.
Attack
Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are likely to return to the Man United lineup, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Alejandro Garnacho likely to make way for the English duo.
Antony looks set to retain his place on the right flank, although the Brazilian winger must start producing the goods or risk getting dropped to the bench.
If the Red Devils are in need of a goal, there is rarely anyone better than Ronaldo to bring off the bench.
