Manchester United will look to make it five wins from Michael Carrick’s first five games in charge tonight when they face West Ham in the Premier League.
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro could be rested this evening when the Reds travel to West Ham(Image: Getty Images/Pick the Team)
Manchester United have enjoyed a brilliant start to life under Michael Carrick and after masterminding a victory over one of his ex-clubs in Tottenham on Saturday he will look to repeat the trick at West Ham tonight. The short turnaround after the win at Old Trafford opens up some questions over rotation.
Keeping Kobbie Mainoo in the starting line-up seems a must if United want to continue their good form. Since his recall, he has not missed a beat and against Spurs he was brilliant linking play through the middle.
There could be a temptation to bring Leny Yoro into the starting XI in place of Harry Maguire should the experienced centre-back need a rest but the preference would be to keep the back four the same.
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The big debate will be whether to rest Casemiro for this fixture. United’s problem is they do not have another player in their squad who can perform the defensive midfield duty better or to the same level as Casemiro. Manuel Ugarte would be the obvious replacement but the Fulham game showed how the Reds can lose control of a game without the Brazilian on the pitch.
For that reason, keeping Casemiro in the starting XI is likely to be Carrick’s preferred choice. The interim boss will be hoping the 33-year-old can get through this game ahead of an extended rest before facing Everton on February 23.
Moving into the attack is where United could change things up. Matheus Cunha will stay on the left flank seen as though Patrick Dorgu remains unavailable.
Bryan Mbeumo has to start for United but could be moved on to the right wing to allow Amad a rest. This then allows Benjamin Sesko an opportunity to provide Carrick with a headache.
Sesko deserves a shot at further minutes due to his impressive form since Ruben Amorim left and with a lack of fixtures between now and the end of the season, Carrick could decide tonight is the time to give him a run out from the start.
Manchester United’s predicted line-up to take on West Ham
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