Two Manchester United stars are reportedly facing late fitness tests ahead of Rúben Amorim’s crunch tie against West Ham on Thursday evening.
Manchester United’s improved form was summed up by their 2–1 comeback victory over Crystal Palace. A subdued first half left Rúben Amorim’s side trailing at the interval, but moments of magic from Joshua Zirkzee, Mason Mount, and Bruno Fernandes turned the contest around after the break.
The win was significant, marking United’s first league success in London against opposition other than Fulham since January 2022. Attention now shifts back to Old Trafford, where West Ham visit on Thursday evening.
United continue to look upward toward the Champions League places, while West Ham are battling for survival lower down the table. Leeds United’s 3–1 victory over Chelsea has lifted them to 17th, leaving the Hammers inside the relegation zone heading into the midweek fixture.
Amorim will be hoping the response shown against Palace can help put the disappointment of the Everton defeat behind them and provide the platform for a strong run of results as the festive period begins.
Zirkzee and Fernandes set for late fitness tests
After missing the last two fixtures through a head injury, Matheus Cunha is expected to return to the squad for the Old Trafford tie, but two further players could be injured.
Amorim stated on Wednesday afternoon that there are two fitness doubts for the game, but would not reveal who. A report relayed by The People’s Person has stated that Zirkzee and Fernandes are set for late fitness tests.
While the issue with Zirkzee remains unknown, Fernandes was seen holding his hamstring after the win over Palace.
SullyTalkz has later claimed on X that Fernandes is set to be with the squad against West Ham, despite fitness concerns.
Aside from the duo, striker Benjamin Šeško (knee) and Harry Maguire (hamstring) remain on the treatment table and are expected to return later this month.
Could Mainoo be given a chance in December?
If Fernandes is to be unavailable, this could provide the perfect chance for Kobbie Mainoo to be handed his first league start of the season. Amorim has been adamant that the 20-year-old is competing with Fernandinho for a midfield spot.
However, speaking on Wednesday afternoon, the United boss also admitted that he does not yet know if Mainoo will definitely be handed his chance, and that he picks the starting XI he deems best fit to win each game as it comes.
“We’ll see,” AMorim said when asked if Mainoo iwll be given a chance to prove his worth this month. “We could talk about Kobbie. We could talk about [Manuel] Ugarte, he’s also not playing. Josh is playing because we had a lot of injuries and we need to be also clear with that. And football is like that.
“You just need to be ready when the opportunity comes. When the opportunity comes, again, I just want to win. I don’t look at faces. I just want to win, and I will choose the best ones. And, of course, I think when you have more games, if something happens, you will have your chance.
“You just need to be ready, and you will be fine. If you are ready, if you play well, I’m not going to take it [away] from the team for any reason. I just choose for every game, the best starting XI and Kobbie is the same thing with the other guys.”
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