Manchester United ended 2016 on an upward trend, reversing an inconsistent start to the campaign to go on their longest winning run to date under Jose Mourinho.
They’ll be looking to continue their march towards the top four with a trip to London this evening to face West Ham United, just two days after beating Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.
It’s a tough ask playing again in such a short space of time but United have a squad able to deal with such a scenario with decent depth right across the team.
There’s no room for error for the Red Devils, though, with wins required to overhaul the teams ahead of them. All the sides in the top four have been in decent form in recent matches as well.
What team should Mourinho go for and who should be rested? This is the XI we think can get the job done against West Ham…
GK: David de Gea
David de Gea is having as consistent a season as he’s ever had in a Manchester United jersey, always there to be called upon if needed between the posts.
West Ham have found a little bit of goalscoring form recently so he may be a busier man than you’d expect. United have conceded 3 goals against the Irons already this season after all – so De Gea must be ready to do the business.
RB: Matteo Darmian
Darmian has been a good option for United this season when rotated into the team to relieve pressure on more regular starters at full-back. He can play on either side but we’re using him on the right here.
The Italian international was in excellent from recently against West Brom, tirelessly running up down and the flank and helping his team to a 2-0 victory.
CB: Phil Jones
After being rested against Boro, Phil Jones will surely be recalled to the starting XI for the trip to London.
He’s been in excellent form for weeks now, helping Man United turn their patchy results into regular wins.
With West Ham likely to show plenty of attacking ambition at home, he could be vital in securing another result for the Red Devils.
CB: Marcos Rojo
Like Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo has barely put a foot wrong in recent weeks – but found himself benched against Middlesbrough.
Nonetheless, they’re building quite the partnership, which we expect to be reinstated for the somewhat difficult journey to the London Stadium
If Jones and Rojo return in top form, the Hammers will have a tough time getting past them.
LB: Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw hasn’t featured since November for United but with such a heavy schedule, now could be the time to bring him back into the fold and give more regular starters a rest given that he’s been back in training after an injury set-back.
The left-back is still an exceptional player on his day and we have seen others turn around bad form under Mourinho.
Can he buy into the Old Trafford boss’ philosophy and push on in his Manchester United career? West Ham would be a good place to start. New year, new player.
CM: Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera has developed into a midfielder that United can rely on to dictate the tempo of a match and distribute play from left to right and back to front.
The Spaniard has become a key part of Mourinho’s system and will be vitally important in keeping United’s composure no matter what West Ham throw at them.
His ability to find a key pass in the final third will also be crucial in breaking down the Irons.
CM: Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba goes from strength to strength as a United player, consistently dragging them towards victory in otherwise unspectacular performances.
He was the man of the match in the first Premier League meeting between the two sides earlier in the season, setting up Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s equaliser to secure a vital point at Old Trafford.
If United are to get a result on the road, he’ll likely be at the centre once again.
AMR: Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard hasn’t quite hit the consistency required to be a regular starter for the Red Devils but can still do a job on his day.
He found an assist recently against West Brom, helping United to a 2-0 victory. He should get a start against West Ham to give him another opportunity to put in the blistering performance United fans believe he’s capable of.
AM: Juan Mata
Juan Mata hasn’t scored since November but remains an influential part of United performances when he plays, as a constant danger to defences with his passing and movement in the final third.
His set-piece ability is crucial too, especially in what could be a tight game. Perhaps a free-kick or corner could be the only path to victory.
Having only been used from the bench vs. Boro, he should be fresh, too.
AML: Anthony Martial
Martial is yet to hit fifth gear this season but has at times looked like the player worth all that money United paid to bring him to Old Trafford.
He gets a start here given his exceptional performance against the Hammers in the League Cup earlier this season, scoring a double and putting in a man of the match performance in a 4-1 victory.
Can he punish Bilic’s men again?
ST: Marcus Rashford
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is no spring chicken, so two games in 48 hours may be too much for the giant Swede.
With energy likely to be a vital factor vs. West Ham, Rashford seems a logical choice, with the youngster full of running and pressing. He could be used for an hour to soften up the Hammers’ defence for 30 minutes of Ibra!