Manchester United’s line-up for the game against West Ham United has been announced. Erik ten Hag chooses to put Cristiano Ronaldo back in the starting lineup, after the Portuguese was also allowed to start from the first whistle in the Europa League game against Sheriff Tiraspol (3-0 win). Tyrell Malacia is simultaneously referred to the bank by manager Erik ten Hag. The Premier League game against West Ham starts at 5:15 PM at Old Trafford.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was immediately put back in the starting lineup against Sheriff after his temporary ban on Thursday, and crowned it with the final chord. The Portuguese star striker now retains Ten Hag’s confidence, which means that Jaden Sancho has to settle for a reserve role. Ronaldo is at the forefront with Marcus Rashford and Antony. The much-discussed, ‘useless’ trick that the Brazilian performed in the midweek European game remains unpunished.
Ten Hag maintains the midfield, but makes two changes in his defense. Tyrell Malacia is victimized by 52-year-old Tukker: Luke Shaw plays in his place. Harry Maguire is preferred to Victor Lindelof and also takes over the captain’s armband from Fernandes. The midfield again consists of the Portuguese, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro. It means that Donny van de Beek also starts on the bench.
Manchester United can take over the fifth place from Chelsea on Sunday at Old Trafford, which went down ingloriously 4-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion the day before. The Red Devils have been unbeaten for seven games in a row and hope to add an eighth against the London visitors. West Ham is in a much more volatile season in that regard. David Moyes’ team is currently in thirteenth place, after finishing seventh last year.
Manchester United line-up: DeGea; Dalot, Maguire Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Ronaldo
Lineup West Ham United: Fabianski; Kehrer, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek, Bowen Downes, Benrahma; scamcca.