Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

'Get behind him' - Manchester United fans issue rallying cry as Harry Maguire starts vs West Ham

Erik ten Hag has named his starting line-up for Manchester United's Premier League encounter with West Ham United at Old Trafford this afternoon, making a cluster of changes.

United, who have won all of their last four league meetings with the Hammers, will be looking to build on Thursday evening's routine 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League. Diogo Dalot, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo all scored to stretch United's unbeaten run to seven games.

It means that Ten Hag will be looking to see his side maintain their recent run of good form this afternoon, knowing that a win will see them climb above Chelsea and to within a point of the top four. The Dutchman has opted to make a handful of changes to the side that was victorious in Europe less than 72 hours ago, making four in total.

READ MORE: United vs West Ham LIVE

Harry Maguire, earning his first league start since August, Luke Shaw, Anthony Elanga and Marcus Rashford have come into the side, meaning Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony have dropped out. Lindelof and Antony have not been included in the matchday squad because of illness and injury, respectively.

Meanwhile, the likes of Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho have been named among the substitutes. However, French duo Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial are sidelined through injury.

Despite having made the decision to make four changes, two of which are enforced, to the side that defeated Sheriff, Ten Hag will be hoping for more of the same from his side, as they aim to continue their recent run of good form. It is, unsurprisingly, the inclusion of Maguire that has attracted the most attention from United's supporters in the immediate aftermath of the team news being confirmed.

Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at what some of United's supporters have had to say in response to Ten Hag's decision to hand a first Premier League start since the 4-0 defeat to Brentford to the England international.

As you can see from the messages displayed in the tweets above, Ten Hag's decision to reinstate Maguire has divided opinions. While some supporters are fearful that he could be a weak link, several fans are getting behind the captain, offering him their full backing.

United starting line-up : De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Elanga, Ronaldo, Rashford.

Substitutes : Bishop, Dubravka, Malacia, Fred, McTominay, Van de Beek, Pellistri, Garnacho, Sancho.

This afternoon's contest at Old Trafford kicks-off at 4:15pm and you can follow all of the action on our live matchday blog, which you can access by clicking here.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.