West Ham United will be back in Premier League action on Saturday when they welcome Manchester United to the London Stadium.
The Hammers were smashed 5-1 by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday evening, leaving manager David Moyes winless in his last 21 visits to Anfield. It was a very disappointing performance from Moyes’s side on the night and were well beaten by the Reds.
The Scotsman should expect a rousing response from his boys against Man United, who head to east London off the back of last weekend’s credible 0-0 draw at Liverpool in the Premier League.
West Ham Team News
Michail Antonio is the only player missing for West Ham, after sustaining an injury while on international duty with Jamaica in early November.
David Moyes will be planning the best way to utilise his squad for two games in four days, and having rested a few key players in the Carabao Cup tie with Liverpool, he is expected to name his best XI against Man United.
Predicted West Ham lineup vs Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Lukasz Fabianski was an unused substitute against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, with Alphonse Areola starting in goal at Anfield. The veteran Pole should return to the first XI and hope to keep back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League when Man United visit the London Stadium.
Defence
Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd enjoyed a much-needed breather in midweek, so they should be fresh to start against the Red Devils. The duo should replace Konstantinos Mavropanos and Angelo Ogbonna in central defence.
Emerson Palmieri expects a recall into the starting XI at the expense of Ben Johnson at left-back. Meanwhile, Vladimir Coufal should keep his place at right-back to complete West Ham’s backline.
Midfield
In the midfield double pivot, James Ward-Prowse will start alongside Edson Alvarez. The two players will look to protect that defensive unit, recycle possession for their side and break up opposition attacks.
Tomas Soucek will start in the No.10 role, tasked with the responsibility of linking the midfield with the attack. His physical attributes in the box, especially from set-piece situations could cause problems for the shaky Man United defence.
Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma should drop to the bench after starting in the 5-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Attack
Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen are the Hammers’ in-form players and remain obvious picks in attack. Kudus will look to bring creativity and flair from the right flank, while Bowen focuses on adding to his tally of 12 goals across all competitions.
Joining the duo in the West Ham attack will be Lucas Paqueta, who came off the bench in the 5-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool. The Brazilian is the club’s most creative player, and he will be raring to make a difference in the final third against Erik ten Hag’s side.
