David de Gea is likely to start despite his errors last time out while Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial should also feature when Manchester United face West Ham United.
Manchester United will be aiming to take a step towards securing qualification for Champions League football next season, when they welcome David Moyes’s West Ham United to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Ahead of the big game, Manchester United have one fresh injury concern with Eric Bailly set to miss out after picking up a head injury against Chelsea last time out.
Speaking of the defender’s condition in his pre-match presser, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said, “Eric stayed down in London for all the checks. I didn’t see him yesterday. He’s following the protocols that are needed. I don’t think he’ll be ready for this game.”
? The boss has provided an injury update on @HarryMaguire93 and @EricBailly24…#MUFC #MUNWHU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 21, 2020
Harry Maguire, who clashed heads with the Ivorian, is fit and available for selection. Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe remain sidelined, while Luke Shaw is also likely to miss out as he recovers from an ankle issue.
Having fielded a three-man backline last time out, Solskjaer should revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation on Wednesday, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams operating as the full-backs while Victor Lindelof and Maguire pair up at the heart of the defence.
David de Gea’s position under the woodwork is under scrutiny though, after his errors cost Manchester United the game against Chelsea. However, Solskjaer seemed to hint that the Spaniard will be starting in goal against the Hammers this midweek.
“This is not going to become a David De Gea press conference. We’ve got two games and we need to just focus on that. David is mentally strong enough to know that his job is to perform in training the next day and then be ready for the games,” the Norwegian said.
There ought to be alterations in midfield, with Paul Pogba returning to the starting XI after being omitted for the FA Cup tie against Chelsea. The Frenchman should have Nemanja Matic as his partner in the double pivot for Manchester United. Bruno Fernandes is a certainty up ahead in the No. 10 role and will once again be key for the Red Devils.
Mason Greenwood was another player to have been benched for the pivotal cup game, but should return to the side, slotting in on the right flank at the expense of Daniel James. Marcus Rashford is a guaranteed starter on the left wing, while Anthony Martial should return to spearhead the attack for Manchester United against West Ham.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Williams; Pogba, Matic; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
