Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst & Richard Fay & Tyrone Marshall & Steven Railston

How Manchester United should line-up against West Ham in Premier League fixture

Manchester United are set to play West Ham away in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping for an immediate response from his side after United lost 2-1 to BSC Young Boys in the Champions League in midweek and, unlike West Ham who played on Thursday, they have enjoyed four days' rest to prepare for this clash.

While West Ham won 2-0 in the Europa League, they'll be without star man Michail Antonio through suspension against United.

United were handed a double injury boost earlier this week, with Scott McTominay and Alex Telles both reporting for full training at Carrington after recovering from their respective injuries - both are highly unlikely to make the squad for this trip to West Ham, though.

So, which players will make Solskjaer's starting XI? Here's how our MEN writers think United should line-up.

Samuel Luckhurst

In all probability, the United team will be the same as last week's against Newcastle. If that is the case, then Aaron Wan-Bissaka would still be playing by default.

Diogo Dalot is assured of two successive midweek starts in the League Cup and the Champions League but Wan-Bissaka should not be certain of lining up in the next three league games ahead of the October internationals. The acid test for Dalot would be in a league start.

Raphael Varane, Nemanja Matic and Mason Greenwood should be recalled. Jadon Sancho was wayward again in Bern prior to his withdrawal but Jesse Lingard had no chance of exerting pressure on him as he started on the bench.

Tyrone Marshall

The United defence pretty much picks itself at the moment. There might be slight pressure on Wan-Bissaka but he started the season well ahead of Dalot and would need a few more mistakes before he's dropped.

Midfield is a tricky area to get right. United have been vulnerable to the counter in the Premier League this season. Van de Beek did well for 45 minutes in Switzerland and I'd give him another chance alongside Fred.

That would mean Pogba moving back to the left and Sancho, who has had a slow start to his United career, dropping out. Greenwood can start on the right and Ronaldo through the middle.

Which players would make your starting XI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Rich Fay

The midweek defeat to Young Boys might have been a shock but United have no need to overreact as they look to regroup and go again this weekend.

United's defence is self-explanatory with Wan-Bissaka still a much safer option than Dalot at right back despite calls for change. In midfield Matic makes sense as the anchoring option while Pogba is undroppable on current form and could make sense in a two.

A surprise selection would be Lingard on the left against his former side. Solskjaer is a huge fan of the England international and a start this weekend would be a huge show of faith after his horror show on Tuesday.

Greenwood is the best right winger at the club and Ronaldo easily the best striker. Sacho's form isn't as alarming as some would have you think, but he doesn't deserve a start.

Steven Railston

Anything but the three points here would be a huge disappointment after United's defeat in the Champions League in midweek.

Although Wan-Bissaka was sent off in Switzerland, it would be unwise for Solskjaer to offer Dalot an opportunity at right-back in this game considering the circumstances and therefore the back four can remain unchanged from United's 4-1 win against Newcastle.

De Gea can start again in between the sticks while it's likely Fred will come back into midfield alongside Pogba in the double pivot.

Sancho's United career is yet to spark into life, but the 21-year-old has the perfect chance to announce his arrival here after a string of quiet performances and Greenwood can start on the left flank, with Fernandes down the middle and Ronaldo leading the line.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.