Nuno Espirito Santo has selected Tomas Soucek to replace the suspended Lucas Paqueta as West Ham face Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight.
While Nuno is backing Lucas Paqueta to come back stronger from Sunday’s meltdown, West Ham United will be without the services of their mercurial Brazilian on the 14th matchday of the Premier League campaign.
His absence means Tomas Soucek returns to the XI, presumably behind lone striker Callum Wilson.
Nuno dropped Max Kilman for Konstantinos Mavropanos last time out, meanwhile, and again the latter is chosen ahead of the former at centre-half, alongside Jean-Clair Todibo.
Tomas Soucek celebrates during West Ham United v Burnley - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Tomas Soucek replaces Lucas Paqueta with George Earthy on the bench for West Ham United
West Ham appear to be lining up with a back-four, with Freddie Potts and Mateus Fernandes operating as the midfield duo.
Who would you have chosen to replace Lucas Paqueta at Old Trafford and why?
“It was a tough match against Liverpool, but we managed to compete well for large spells. Unfortunately we didn’t achieve the result we wanted, but the feeling was that we competed until the last minute.
“I think we played well offensively, but we needed to make better decisions in the final third. The accuracy of our passes, shots and combinations just wasn’t quite there.That’s what we have to look for on Thursday.
“We continue to work on the training field through repetition, and by trying to innovate as well. It requires that, because if things aren’t working, we have to change.”
– Nuno on his plans for Man United
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Interestingly, George Earthy and Mohamadou Kante are in the squad for the first time this season, alongside Callum Marshall and Ezra Mayers. Crysencio Summerville remains unavailable, though and will hope to return against Brighton this weekend.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have Mateus Cunha back from injury. Joshua Zirkzee starts up top for the hosts.
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