Nuno to name West Ham midfielder in squad for first time vs Manchester United
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is set to hand one of his winter recruits a shot at making his club debut against Manchester United.
Nuno’s side were busier than most clubs in the winter window, with West Ham signing Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea just before the deadline.
West Ham spent heavily on forwards Taty Castellanos and Pablo, while winger Adama Traore was snapped up from Fulham for £2million.
Disasi shone as West Ham beat Burnley 2-0 on Saturday to close to within three points of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest as they made it three wins in four Premier League games.
Now, West Ham’s new January loan signing Keiber Lamadrid could get his chance to shine on Tuesday at London Stadium.
West Ham loanee Keiber Lamadrid to feature vs Man Utd?
Of all of West Ham‘s January recruits, there may be the most intrigue in Lamadrid, who joined from Venezuelan team Deportivo La Guaira on 22 January for the rest of the season.
The Venezuela international predominantly plays as a left midfielder or left winger but has also filled in as a left-back or central midfielder.
The 22-year-old, who is just under 5ft 10in, has played for West Ham’s Under-21 side, scoring in a 3-3 draw with Middlesbrough’s development team in Premier League 2 on 2 February.
There had been reports that the Venezuelan could be involved in West Ham’s squad for the Burnley game but after that didn’t come to pass, speculation has mounted that his chance will come in the Man United match.
Indeed, Venezuelan journalist Elias Lopez states via X that Lamadrid will be included a West Ham first-team squad for the first time for the clash against Michael Carrick’s side on Tuesday night.
He may have to make do with a bench role, though, as winger Crysencio Summerville scored for the fifth game in a row for West Ham during the win over Burnley.
But being named among the squad alone would be a step in the right direction.
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Can West Ham pull off the great escape?
Just a few weeks ago, West Ham looked down and out and were at risk of being overtaken by 19th-placed Burnley following a drubbing by basement side Wolves.
Now, they are eight points ahead of the Clarets and one win away, along with a favourable set of results, from getting out of the bottom three.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer believes West Ham will go down despite their recent uptick in form but it appears that the Hammers are beginning to believe they can stave off relegation.
In their next three league games, they host high-flying Man United and entertain Bournemouth, before rounding off the month away at Liverpool.
On paper, West Ham have the hardest run-in compared to relegation rivals Tottenham, Leeds United, and Forest.
But with the way they are playing at the moment, the teams above them will be looking nervously over their shoulders.