Manchester United will look to consolidate their Premier League top four status and bounce back from Thursday’s late loss to Brighton with a win over West Ham on Sunday.
The Hammers are now just four points from the drop zone after three consecutive losses and will be determined to put in a good showing on home soil. United travel to London Stadium without a number of key men.
Lisandro Martinez is out for the season while Scott McTominay misses the clash. Raphael Varane could be back for next weekend’s match with Wolves but will play no part in London on Sunday.
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Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho is nearing a return but is a doubt for West Ham. He has an outside chance of making the squad having not played since suffering his ankle injury on March 12. West Ham have a number of late fitness calls too.
West Ham team news
The Hammers were struck with a spate of illnesses ahead of the club's 3-0 loss to Manchester City in midweek. As a result, Declan Rice, Nayef Aguerd and Tomas Soucek are all doubts having missed the loss at the Etihad.
David Moyes clarified in the build-up to the meeting with former club United that two other players have also become unwell. Gianluca Scamacca and Kurt Zouma will miss the clash through injury.
Recent form
West Ham’s three-game losing streak consists of losses to Liverpool, Crystal Palace and City. The results mean the club are looking back over their shoulders once again.
Their schedule is made more busy by their inclusion in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League meaning interests must be balanced. After United, they have crunch league games against Brentford, Leeds and Leicester but a result against United may calm the nerves.
The loss to Brighton was United’s first in four outings albeit their last league away win came on April 16 against Nottingham Forest. That is their sole Premier League away victory since February 12.
Key West Ham players
A fit Rice can pull the strings when allowed to while Jarrod Bowen is always a live wire and goal threat. Lucas Paqueta is dangerous going forward from midfield while Tomas Soucek is a commanding figure in the centre of the park.
Michail Antonio is West Ham’s top scorer this season with 12 goals and is bound to start in the absence of Scamacca. Kurt Zouma is a big miss for the Hammers too.
United team news
Erik ten Hag gave a positive update on the fitness of Alejandro Garnacho this week and the youngster could feature against West Ham.
Lisandro Martinez and Donny van de Beek remain ruled out for the season but the game in London appears to have come slightly too soon for Raphael Varane and Scott McTominay as they battle back from injuries.
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