Date: Saturday 23rd December, 2023
Time: 12:30 pm
Stadium London Stadium
Referee Simon Hooper (England)
Goal Scorer:
West Ham
David Moyes does not have any new roster issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Manchester United on Saturday, the West Ham United manager will be bereft of the services of only one first-team player.
Michail Antonio is the only absentee, with the experienced striker recovering from a knee injury. But there is some good news, as Nayef Aguerd should be fit and available after recovering from an illness.
Aguerd will return to the starting eleven on Saturday, pairing up with Kurt Zouma at the heart of the defence. Vladimir Coufal and Emerson Palmieri should be the two full-backs, with Lukasz Fabianski taking his spot between the sticks. West Ham will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of the Polish goalkeeper.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez. The duo will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park, looking to neutralise Bruno Fernandes’s threat. Meanwhile, James Ward-Prowse will accompany the pair, with the former Southampton captain providing the forward thrust from the central areas.
Jarrod Bowen has spearheaded the West Ham attack in Antonio’s absence. But he plays interchangeably with Mohammed Kudus, who can make a splash in the box. Lucas Paqueta will complete the numbers in the final third, looking to provide the creative impetus from different areas of the pitch.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Bowen, Paqueta
Manchester United
Unlike his counterpart in the West Ham United dugout, Erik ten Hag has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of the trip to the London Stadium. The Manchester United boss will be without at least eight first-team players on Saturday.
Diogo Dalot is the latest absentee, with the Portuguese international serving a suspension for a ridiculous dismissal by Michael Oliver last weekend. Dalot has joined Lisandro Martinez (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Harry Maguire (groin), Casemiro (hamstring), Mason Mount (calf), and Amad Diallo (knee) on the sidelines.
In addition, Jadon Sancho continues his exile, as he has yet to make up with his manager. But there is some good news, as Bruno Fernandes is available after serving his suspension last week. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof have resumed training. But Saturday’s game might have come too soon for the duo.
Andre Onana will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-1-4-1 formation in front of him. Aaron Wan-Bissaka will replace the suspended Dalot as the right-back, joining Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, and Luke Shaw in the backline.
Kobbie Mainoo was impressive against Liverpool, with that display earning him another start. The teenage sensation will accompany Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay in the middle of the park. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for Manchester United against West Ham, with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony completing the numbers in the final third. So, Marcus Rashford will be on the bench again.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Shaw; Mainoo; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, McTominay, Garnacho; Hojlund
Prediction: West Ham United 1-2 Manchester United
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