Nuno Espirito Santo faces a selection dilemma as West Ham United are set to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday.
West Ham lost 2-0 to Liverpool at the London Stadium and do not go into the game at Manchester on the back of a lot of confidence.
Lucas Paqueta’s red card means that he will be suspended for the game, further adding to Nuno’s worries.
West Ham United v Liverpool - Premier League
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George Earthy can be handed first-ever Premier League start vs Manchester United
George Earthy is yet to play in the Premier League this season, but given Paqueta’s suspension and an injury to Crysencio Summerville, Nuno may look to unleash the 21-year-old against Manchester United.
The English midfielder made his Premier League debut in April 2024 and then played two more league games before the end of the season.
Last season, he impressed on loan at Bristol City, a complete campaign of regular first-team football.
Is now the time for Nuno to give George Earthy a chance?
Instead of loaning him out again, the Hammers have decided to keep him at the London Stadium as he aims to break into the senior side.
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He has been a regular for the Under-21s this season and Nuno surely could take a gamble on him and put him in the playing eleven.
West Ham United go into the game as underdogs, so there are not expectations on Earthy to be the difference maker, although he certainly is capable of moments of brilliance.
West Ham United's George Earthy
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Can Earthy become a squad player for West Ham this season?
Earthy’s lovely solo goal against Truro highlights just how good he is to still be featuring for the reserves.
He made his senior Premier League debut a year and a half ago and has since spent an entire season playing first-team football.
Given the lack of quality on the Hammers bench on matchdays, the time may have arrived to make the 21-year-old a regular part of the squad.
Nuno or the fans are certainly not going to expect him to become a first-team regular this season, but if he can get 10-15 league appearances primarily off the bench, it will do his credentials a world of good.
He undoubtedly can become a squad player for the senior West Ham side this season and push for a regular start in the next 24 months if he keeps progressing.
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