Michael Carrick could make a few changes to his starting XI as Manchester United travel to face West Ham in the Premier League on Tuesday evening.
Michael Carrick will aim to make it five straight victories when his Manchester United side travel to East London to take on 18th-placed West Ham on Tuesday night.
Since the former midfielder took over from Rúben Amorim as head coach, United have beaten Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham, moving five points clear inside the cluster of teams chasing Champions League qualification.
West Ham, though, are unlikely to make things easy. Despite sitting in the relegation zone, they are only three points from safety, and the London Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for United in recent seasons.
After Nuno Espirito Santos’ side earned a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in December, Tuesday’s clash could play a major role in shaping momentum for either team as the Premier League season heads into its decisive stretch.
Carrick could make changes vs West Ham
So far this season, Carrick has only made one change to his starting XI across the four wins, with Matheus Cunha replacing Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu due to injury after the Arsenal tie. However, with the West Ham game coming just a few days after the Fulham win, a few changes could be made.
Senne Lammens has played every game since his debut in October and is growing from strength to strength, and will remain in goal. However, one change could come in front of him, with Ayden Heaven possibly replacing Harry Maguire alongside Lisandro Martínez.
The veteran English defender has started all four of Carrick’s games, but amid his known fitness and injury problems, could be rested in favour of the 19-year-old, who was in stellar form alongside Martínez prior to Carrick’s arrival.
As for the full-backs, Diogo Dalot has been in exceptional form of late at right-back and is expected to continue, while Luke Shaw has started every single one of United’s Premier League fixtures this season and will remain on the left.
In midfield, the Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro midfield pairing has been absolutely essential to the side’s recent revival. Mainoo is showing the world why he’s so highly regarded, while Carrick has been managing Casemiro’s minutes well. Both are expected to play when United travel to face West Ham.
As for the creative machine Bruno Fernandes, he will remain in his free and refreshed role as the side’s No. 10. It’s always been known that the closer he is to the opposition’s goal, the better he gets, and could be the decisive man once again for Carrick during what will be a tough test on Tuesday evening.
The other change the United boss may elect to go for is to give Amad a rest. The Ivorian international has played 90 minutes three times under Carrick, including 88 against Arsenal. He’s been brilliant despite recording no goal contributions of late, but could be afforded an evening off against West Ham.
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This would then leave Bryan Mbeumo as the obvious selection ont he right hand side. Mbeumo has been operating up front, but the West Ham game may be a perfect chance for Benjamin Šeško to be handed his first start under Carrick, with Cunha remaining on the left-hand side.
United predicted XI vs West Ham
Lammens, Dalot, Heaven, Martínez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha, Šeško.
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