David Moyes faces a number of selection dilemmas ahead of West Ham’s Premier League clash with Manchester United.
The Hammers go into the game off the back of a superb performance in Croatia, defeating Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 in the Europa League.
With just three days between matches, Moyes will have to judge the fatigue levels of his squad but the boss confirmed he has no injury worries to contend with.
The only player unavailable to the Scot is striker Michail Antonio who is suspended following his red card against Southampton last weekend.
Jarrod Bowen is expected to move into the central striker’s role this afternoon with Nikola Vlasic retaining his spot from the Europa League team in attacking midfield.
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Another big decision the boss faces is whether to include Kurt Zouma in the starting XI after his commanding performance in Europe.
“I thought Kurt Zouma was very good, it looked as if it was a comfortable game for him,” Moyes said in Zagreb, and the former Chelsea man could keep his spot in the backline ahead of Craig Dawson, who had a number of shaky moments at St Mary’s.
After Vladimir Coufal’s rest in mid-week, the right-back will return to the team along with Angelo Ogbonna. Aaron Cresswell is expected to stay in the team to complete a back four of Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna and the English left-back.
Behind the defence, Lukasz Fabianski appears to be Moyes’ preferred option with the Pole starting every match so far this season and new signing Alphonse Areola yet to see any competitive action.
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In midfield, Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, are as always likely to line up behind the attacking quartet. Said Benrahma could return to the team alongside Pablo Fornal and Vlasic with Bowen leading the line.
Last season, Moyes did on occasion switch his tactics up to face the ‘big’ teams and the manager may spring a surprise and opt for a five-man backline in a 5-4-1 formation, with Issa Diop an option in that system. Benrahma would likely be the man to drop out if Moyes sets his team up in a more defensive system.
Arthur Masuaku continued his return from injury on Thursday night but a Premier League start would be a surprise after a long injury lay-off.
Predicted West Ham XI – Fabianski, Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Vlasic, Fornals, Benrahma, Bowen
https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/news/west-ham-manchester-united-team-21597571