The memory of a come-from-behind victory against Athletic Club will still breathe inside Old Trafford when Manchester United welcome West Ham for Sunday’s Premier League encounter.
A torrid run of four losses and two draws has cemented the Reds in 15th position in the league standings. That said, the Hammers are two places and two points further behind in 17th.
With passage to the Europa League final confirmed through that 7-1 aggregate victory against Bilbao, there are fresh hopes that positive continental form can transfer to the domestic scene.
Notably, squad rotation has been a regular sight in the North West, as European ventures have been Ruben Amorim’s priority.
With ten days until an all-English showpiece against Spurs in San Mames Stadium, player fitness and squad management will supply an interesting dilemma for the one-time Sporting supremo.
Manchester United Team News
Amad continued his promising return following a heartbreaking injury midseason with another eye-catching cameo midweek.
Alongside Mason Mount, the pair transformed their sides’ fortunes, earning a memorable victory inside the Theatre of Dreams.
Both will be keen to feature from the start, but Amorim insists he will not take risks with his players for the Sunday fixture.
“I have to make a choice,” he told the media. “What is the best for the club, not what is the best for me. I make a choice in this moment. I’m going to try to save all the players because it’s really important for us to win the final.”
Bruno Fernandes earned a rare rest against Brentford last weekend, but is in line to feature against Graham Potter’s side.
Harry Maguire is a doubt, however. He collected an apparent knock against Bilbao, although he did not require attention.
“Bruno doesn’t have the problem of any injury [touches wood], but Harry has,” Amorim continued. “So we have to manage that, but they have to play, and it is better to play than to stay out.”
Matthijs de Ligt, Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven, Jonny Evans, Toby Collyer, Lisandro Martinez, and Joshua Zirkzee were unavailable for the Europa League semi-final. However, Chido Obi is once again unavailable for domestic selection.
Manchester United hold a stellar record against West Ham, sitting undefeated in the last 16 Premier League meetings at Old Trafford (13 wins and three draws).
But the Hammers have won three of the previous four encounters and, despite their shortcomings under Potter, will always provide a credible threat.
However, only Leicester (7), Ipswich (6) and Southampton (5) have earned fewer league points since the former Chelsea man arrived in January (14). Furthermore, his side is winless in eight domestic outings (four wins and four draws).
How do you feel about the latest installation between the sides? Will Manchester United get the job done?
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