West Ham United will be bidding to make it back-to-back Premier League wins when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Sunday.
The Hammers maintained their 100 per cent record in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night with a 1-0 win over Danish club Silkeborg IF. A first-half penalty from Manuel Lanzini was enough to seal the deal for the east London club in midweek.
However, a much tougher challenge awaits David Moyes’ side in the shape of an in-form Manchester United, who are sixth in the league table and on a seven-game unbeaten run in all formats.
West Ham Team News
Lucas Paqueta, Craig Dawson and Maxwel Cornet are still injured for West Ham.
Jarrod Bowen, who missed the midweek fixture against Silkeborg IF with an ankle injury, will be assessed ahead of the game at Old Trafford, Moyes told in his pre-match presser.
Predicted West Ham Lineup vs Man United (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Lukasz Fabianski will be recalled in goal after Alphonse Areola performed his cup duties against Silkeborg IF. The Pole must produce a top display to keep a clean sheet at Old Trafford.
Defence
David Moyes might revert to a 4-2-3-1 system from the 5-3-2 he used against Silkeborg IF in midweek, with Thilo Kehrer resuming his central defensive partnership with Kurt Zouma at the heart of the defence in the West Ham lineup.
Ben Johnson will take up the right-back spot, with Aaron Cresswell filling in at left-back to complete the Hammers’ back four.
Angelo Ogbonna, Vladimir Coufal and Emerson Palmieri will offer cover for the defensive positions.
Midfield
In Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, West Ham will have a strong base in midfield to build their attacks. Not only will the duo look to win the midfield battles against Man United’s Casemiro and Eriksen but also offer protection to the Hammers’ backline.
In front of Rice and Soucek in the Man United lineup, Moyes could prefer the craft of Manuel Lanzini over the physical specimen of Flynn Downes. For a West Ham side that will set up deep and look to break forward at every opportunity they get against Man United, having a player of Lanzini’s quality and industry could be key on Sunday.
Attack
As Jarrod Bowen is doubtful, Moyes may start Pablo Fornals on the right with Said Benrahma providing creativity and flair from the other flank in the West Ham lineup.
Gianluca Scamacca came off the bench in West Ham’s 1-0 win over Silkeborg IF in midweek but is expected to lead the attack against Erik ten Hag’s side.
Michail Antonio’s pace and physicality could be useful off the bench if Moyes goes with two strikers up top at some point in the game.