West Ham were facing a potentially sickening blow with three key stars rumoured to be doubtful for the clash with Manchester United after an admission from Nuno Espirito Santo – but there’s good news.
The Hammers welcome a rejuvenated Red Devils to the London Stadium for a massive clash in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
The game is huge at both ends of the table with West Ham desperate to continue their fine form in their fight for survival and Man United looking to move up to third and within touching distance of second.
Nuno Espirito Santo knows his side can draw level on points with Nottingham Forest in the safety of 17th with a win.
The onus will then be on Forest to beat basement boys Wolves on Wednesday night.
Serious concern in West Ham circles over trio for Man United
Facing Man United would not have been particularly daunting for the Hammers at any point in the last couple of years in truth.
But the Red Devils have looked transformed since the appointment of former West Ham star Michael Carrick as interim manager.
You can ask Nuno to make one change ahead of the Man Utd game – what is it? 👀
What a record this is by the way 😍
A graphic showing West Ham's United recent home record against Manchester United.
Credit: Getty Images/Harry Murphy – Danehouse
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Nuno is targeting six games West Ham must win to survive and Man United is not one of them.
So a point or more will be seen as a major positive at the London Stadium.
West Ham are no pushovers at the moment, though, as Carrick has referenced himself ahead of his return to east London.
Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville during West Ham United v Sunderland - Premier League
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Irons have won four of their last five games in all competitions.
That could and should be five from five but for the second half collapse at Chelsea which saw West Ham throw away a 2-0 half-time lead to lose 3-2.
Nuno has improved his options with five signings in the January window.
But there are certain players West Ham simply can’t do without if they want to stay in the top flight.
So rumours that have abound since an admission from Nuno ahead of the match have deeply concerned fans.
Major boost after Bowen and Summerville worries for Man United
Nuno revealed West Ham have several injury doubts for the game against Man United game, describing the situation as disappointing.
The Portuguese refused to say who so as not to give Man United any tactical advantages.
Who are you starting in goal against Manchester United?! 🧤
A split image showing Alphonse Areola and Mads Hermansen's appearance stats for West Ham United this season.
Credit: Getty Images/ Julian Finney/Izzy Poles – AMA
That has left the situation open to speculation and word has gone around that captain Jarrod Bowen, in-form star Crysencio Summerville and hard-working striker Pablo could all miss the game.
That has been born from the fact all three left the Turf Moor pitch hobbling on Saturday.
That would clearly be a devastating blow for Nuno and would significantly impact West Ham’s chances of a result.
Pablo Felipe playing for West Ham against Burnley.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
But there’s a major boost after the worries that three big West Ham stars will miss Man United.
On West Ham’s official website, the club have used a picture from training to head up the summary of Nuno’s pre-game press conference.
That picture shows the Hammers boss chatting to Jarrod Bowen during training.
So it seems the skipper, who needed late fitness tests to make the Chelsea game, will be available.
There is further relief for the Hammers from a prominent club insider too.
West Ham issues not as bad as feared but Pablo out
ExWHUemployee has set minds at rest by claiming that the injury concerns are not as bad as is being discussed on social media.
Ex confirmed on The West Ham Way that the starting XI for Man United could be very similar to the side which started against Burnley.
Although of the three rumoured doubts, the insider revealed that Pablo is indeed unlikely to make the game.
If that is the case then Nuno has a decision to make about who plays up top given Callum Wilson would not normally be risked from the start in two games three days apart.
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