After drawing Leicester City last weekend, Manchester United are entering a very important stretch of matches over the next few weeks. United must first host the Hammers of West Ham this coming weekend, and then it is the all-important trip to Wolfsburg next week.
December is traditionally a busy month for English squads, as there is a boat load of matches around the Holiday season. The Red Devils will certainly want to be firing on all cylinders going into this vital stretch, and it will start at Old Trafford this Saturday.
Here is United’s strongest lineup for their fixture with West Ham:
Goalkeeper
Despite losing the battle and conceding against Jamie Vardy last weekend, there is no questions that David De Gea is on the team sheet. De Gea will certainly continue his stingy play for The Red Devils.
Right Back
The former Torino right back, Matteo Darmian, will be on right side and will be called upon for his stellar defensive duties. Darmian, along with Chris Smalling have been the mainstays for Louis van Gaal’s defence for much the season.
Center Backs
Chris Smalling and Paddy McNair will partner up against West Ham on Saturday, with Smalling anchoring the pairing. With another injury to Marcos Rojo, McNair will certainly be in line to start once again.
Left Back
With another injury crisis in the defence, versatile, Daley Blind will slide over to the left of the defence. Blind’s utility status has been the glue that has been holding much of the defence together, as others have been nursing injuries.
Holding Midfielders
Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, affectionately known as, Schmidfield, enjoyed a productive match against Leicester last weekend, especially, Schweinsteiger, who opened his scoring account for United. The other holding mid, Michael Carrick, has been out injured, but it’s not expected to be a lengthy lay-off.
Attacking Midfielder
The United and England captain, Wayne Rooney, has been experiencing his worst slump of his stellar career. Louis van Gaal has been loyal and will most likely have the Englishman start once again, but one has to wonder what Rooney’s role will be if United secure attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Wingers
Juan Mata and Ashley Young will be the two wingers deployed on Saturday, with Mata most certainly playing more inside, while Young will provide the crosses from left side. Young is arguably the best crosser of the ball in the United squad and although it may be a bit surprising seeing him start, especially this far up the pitch, United NEED his crosses in the box.
Striker
United’s striker for much of the season, Anthony Martial, continues to be compared to his compatriot, Thierry Henry. Fair or not, Martial will forever be linked with the Arsenal legend, especially with the way he burst onto the scene earlier in the season.
(4-3-2-1)
Via – Lineup Builder
