Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt due to a neck injury, while Victor Lindelof will be replaced by Harry Maguire when Manchester United face West Ham United.
Manchester United will be looking to move to the fourth spot in the Premier League table when they lock horns with David Moyes’s West Ham United at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Heading into the game, interim manager Ralf Rangnick has a few roster concerns as star man Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt due to a neck issue. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is injured, while Paul Pogba will not be rushed back after his lengthy layoff. In addition, Victor Lindelof is set to miss out for personal reasons, while Jadon Sancho and Edinson Cavani are also major doubts for the contest.
Speaking exclusively to MUTV, Rangnick said, “Cristiano is a question mark because he has a problem with his neck. He received treatment yesterday for two three hours and we will have to wait to see how he feels today. Edi hasn’t been training with the team yet and will hopefully resume training today and then we’ll take the final decision after the training session today, if he will be available for the game tomorrow.”
Luke Shaw is also out with injury, whereas Eric Bailly is away on international duty. But there is some positive news, as midfielder Scott McTominay, who picked up an injury against Brentford, has recovered sufficiently to be available. “According to the medical staff, and I spoke with Scotty myself yesterday, he should be back in training today and I think he will be available tomorrow,” the manager said.
Changes will be made to the side that took the field in the midweek tie, starting with the defence where Manchester United captain Harry Maguire should come into the team in place of Lindelof. He will partner with Raphael Varane at the heart of the backline while Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles continue as the full-backs. David de Gea is the undisputed starter between the sticks.
McTominay’s availability bodes well for Rangnick, and the Scotsman should once again assume the role of the No. 6 in the 4-3-3 system that the manager has been trying out in recent games. Fred, who seems to be relishing the box-to-box role of late, is another certain starter in midfield, as is Bruno Fernandes, who will be the primary creative outlet for the home team against West Ham.
Anthony Elanga and Mason Greenwood were on target against Brentford and should hold on to their places in the starting XI, slotting in on the left and right flanks, respectively. As for the centre-forward slot, Ronaldo could recover in time to make the starting lineup. If he does not, Marcus Rashford could be in line for a starting berth as the No. 9.
Manchester United Predicted XI: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Telles, Fernandes, McTominay, Fred, Greenwood, Ronaldo, Elanga
