Manchester United are back on the road in their next Premier League game against West Ham United on Sunday, May 7. Last Word on Sports tries to put together a Manchester United Predicted Lineup as they hope to improve their away form by taking away all three points from the London Stadium.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs West Ham United
Tough to take, but we'll be back.
A big thank you to our travelling Reds for their backing — we'll see you on Sunday 👏#MUFC || #BHAMUN pic.twitter.com/QJ7OkrRQJd
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 4, 2023
How Manchester United Have Lined-Up Recently
Erik ten Hag has seen his squad experience a drop-off in their performance levels over the last few months because of their exhausting schedule. Their current backline of David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw (who recently signed a new deal), and Diogo Dalot are performing well together in recent games – but it’d be wise for Ten Hag to give Dalot some rest and give captain Harry Maguire some game-time in this one.
Carabao Cup final hero Casemiro and their influential captain Bruno Fernandes should both start. Marcus Rashford and summer signing Antony remain a threat with their pace – while Jadon Sancho could come in for the underperforming Anthony Martial – who was hailed as the “best finisher” at the club by Ten Hag earlier this season.
Manchester United Recent Form and Tactics
Manchester United have been in topsy-turvy form over the last few weeks and have won just two of their last five games across all competitions – which is something they’d want to improve for the final games of the campaign.
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Despite injury problems and fatigue issues in his squad, Ten Hag has been persistent in encouraging a high-octane playing style for his side. That involves pressing the opposition players in their halves and being quick with their link-up play as well as moving the ball forward swiftly.
United are mostly dependent on their wide players to carry the ball into the final third, with the wingers often given leverage to cut back into central areas to cause problems. The midfield trio often interchange to keep opponents guessing and play the ball quickly into space.
Manchester United Key Players
Despite seeing his goal rush slow down in recent months, Rashford is still United’s biggest threat. Knowing his excellent finishing skills acquired this season and ability to run into open space, he’ll look to destabilise the Hammers’ backline and force them into making mistakes for him to pounce upon.
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Sancho and Antony are both able to get the ball into dangerous areas well with their dribbling style, but both need to be more decisive with what they do in the final third – be it with their shooting or cutting-edge passes into the box. Fernandes has been United’s workhorse this season and will look to dictate the tempo of the game as well as create chances with his excellent forward passes. While United should dominate the possession in this, their defence needs to maintain a solid line to keep the Hammers quiet.
Manchester United Injuries to Consider
Lisandro Martinez is ruled out for the rest of the season, while Raphael Varane and Scott McTominay remain unavailable. Alejandro Garnacho, who signed a new contract with the Red Devils recently, could return from injury in this one.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Chrisitan Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford
