Summer signing Daniel James could return to the starting XI when Manchester United take on Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United will be aiming to rack up their third straight win across all competitions, when they travel to the London Stadium to face off against West Ham United on Sunday.
Having fielded a much-changed side for Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League encounter against Astana, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to recall his first-team regulars for their game against the Hammers. However, the Red Devils will continue to be without the services of left-back Luke Shaw.
Shaw has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury and speaking after the game against Astana, Solskjaer confirmed that the full-back will not be available for Sunday. “Luke won’t be ready,” he claimed. Additionally Manchester United will also be without long-term absentees Eric Bailly and Timothy Fose-Mensah in the defensive department.
One confirmed absentee and three injury doubts have impacted Ole's options for #WHUMUN…
Team news update ? #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 20, 2019
David de Gea, fresh after signing a new contract, should return to the starting XI after being left out of the matchday squad against Astana. There will be wholesale changes in defence as well, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Ashley Young returning as the full-backs in place of Diogo Dalot and Marcos Rojo, respectively.
Victor Lindelof, who also penned a new deal with Manchester United, will return at the heart of the defence and will be partnered by summer signing Harry Maguire, with Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones dropping out of the team.
Manchester United will once again have to make do without midfield metronome Paul Pogba, who is yet to recover from an ankle injury. Brazilian international Fred impressed on Thursday night and should earn a starting berth against West Ham. His partner in the midfield double pivot should be academy graduate Scott McTominay, who did not feature in the midweek.
Coming to the attacking department, Anthony Martial will once again miss out as he recovers from a thigh problem. There is some good news though, with Daniel James in contention to feature after missing the midweek clash.
Speaking of the Welshman after the Astana game, Solskjaer said, “[He’s] not trained for the past few days. Hopefully he will, but we’re not sure. We will have a recovery day tomorrow [Friday] and see on Saturday.” The summer signing has travelled with the squad to London and should start on the left flank against West Ham.
Mason Greenwood, who was Manchester United’s saviour against Astana, wasn’t spotted with the rest of the squad travelling to London and may miss out of the starting lineup. In his place, Andreas Pereira could return to the team on the right flank, while Angel Gomes is expected to make way for Jesse Lingard in the No. 10 role on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford should continue to spearhead the attack for Manchester United, but will need to be at his clinical best against a West Ham side that has kept clean sheets in their last three matches in all competitions.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young; Fred, McTominay; Pereira, Lingard, James; Rashford
