Man Utd travel to West Ham in a big match at both ends of the Premier League table.placeholder image
Man Utd travel to West Ham in a big match at both ends of the Premier League table. | Getty Images/ Canva
The latest Manchester United team news and predicted line-up for their match against West Ham.
A resurgent Manchester United travel to West Ham United with the aim of continuing their incredible trajectory up the Premier League table.
The Red Devils are currently the in-form team in the Premier League having picked up 13 points from a possible 15 in recent weeks, including a flawless four wins in a row under new manager Michael Carrick, who at the moment is creating a real feel-good factor around Old Trafford which is reminiscent of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s early months at the club in 2018.
Goals are flying in, an unshackled No 10 in Bruno Fernandes is unsettling just about every defence he’s coming against while summer signings Mathues Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are both at the top of their game. As is youngster Kobbie Mainoo, who looks like a man reborn after being heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
It’s a remarkable turnaround in a quick space of time, which could even see the club climb into the top three spaces, with the influencer ‘the United Strand’, finally getting a much-needed haircut - two things that would have seemed highly unlikely just a few weeks ago. United have successfully picked up points in matches against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur but will be wary of the threat posed by an improving West Ham side that are showing increasing signs of hopes as they strive for a great escape.
Ahead of this highly-anticipated showdown, we aim to predict what Carrick’s starting line-up will look like at the London Stadium as he returns to the ground where he made his professional debut as a player.
Manchester United predicted XI vs West Ham: goalkeeper and defence
GK - Senne Lammens: Belgian international Lammens is likely to make his 20th league appearance of the season. He kept a clean sheet against Tottenham last time out and will be targeting another solid display.
RB - Diogo Dalot: Portuguese defender Dalot has shown improvement in his performances since returning to right-back having played slightly more forward under Amorim. He’ll likely keep his place.
CB - Harry Maguire: The England international has been a regular under Carrick after struggling for first team minutes earlier in the campaign.
CB - Lisandro Martinez: World Cup winning defender Martinez has been a stalwart in recent weeks following his return from an ACL issue. He had a steady partnership with Maguire way back in the 2022/23 season and will hope to get back to those levels.
LB - Luke Shaw: Long-serving defender Shaw has also benefited from returning to his preferred position. He’s already played more minutes this term than the last two seasons combined which is encouraging in the run-up to the World Cup.
Manchester United predicted XI vs West Ham: midfield and attack
CM - Kobbie Mainoo: The Euro 2024 finalist is starting to look like the player fans saw in Erik ten Hag’s final full season. He was linked with a move away but now looks like an important player for the future. The sooner he signs a contract extension the better for Red Devil fans.
CM - Casemiro: Since announcing his decision to leave at the end of the season, Brazil international Casemiro has proven his doubters wrong and produced a series of stellar displays. He’ll likely keep his place in the middle of the park.
RM - Bryan Mbeumo: Former Brentford star Mbeumo has thrived since making the move to Old Trafford. He’s started as a centre forward in recent weeks but could return to the wing this time out.
AM - Bruno Fernandes: The Portuguese international’s attacking qualities were wasted in a deeper role under Amorim, and he’s starting to play his best football again in the No.10 position. He’s one of United’s most talented players of the post Fergie era - and is undroppable based on current form.
ST - Benjamin Sesko: The Slovenian international hasn’t played a great deal of football under Carrick so far, but may be given an opportunity to start.
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