‘This West Ham player travelled to Old Trafford only to miss out completely vs Man United’
Nuno Espirito Santo named a youthful West Ham United squad against Manchester United on Thursday evening.
West Ham were without Lucas Paqueta and Crysencio Summerville at Old Trafford on 4 December, with the bench looking very bare.
Niclas Fullkrug missed out as transfer speculation continues, with little attacking talent available.
Callum Marshall, George Earthy, Mo Kante and Ezra Mayers have all been named on a defensive-heavy replacements list for Thursday night football.
There was no spot for Airidas Golambekis, however.
West Ham squad decimated vs Manchester United
ExWHUemployee shared more insight into the starting XI before kick-off at Old Trafford, with Fullkrug dropped completely alongside Igor Julio and Luis Guilherme.
Taking to X after the team was announced, the reliable West Ham source shared that Golambekis has simply travelled as the extra man, not to make the squad or bench.
Ex wrote: “He travelled but was the extra man in the squad who didn’t make the bench.”
Who is Airidas Golambeckis?
Golambeckis signed a new contract at West Ham in recent weeks, keeping him around until 2029.
Despite only recently turning 18, the young defender has already captained the under-21s at Rush Green, and is backed to make it at the London Stadium.
Golambeckis has already trained with the first team under Nuno, in a clear sign that he is close to making his breakthrough into the senior ranks when needed.
With the FA Cup quickly approaching next month, that could be the perfect window.
El Hadji Malick Diouf is the only defender to come away with any sort of praise at West Ham this season, so places are certainly up for grabs.
Golambeckis will no doubt be disappointed to miss out completely at Old Trafford, but even travelling with the squad to Manchester United is a huge step in the right direction.
Max Kilman has dropped to the bench again, and Julio has missed out completely, leaving Jean Clair Todibo and Dinos Mavropanos as first choice as things stand.
Chances are certainly coming for Golambeckis; he just has to take them.
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