David Moyes to be forced into changes – West Ham United predicted XI v Manchester United in FA Cup
David Moyes could be forced into several changes to his West Ham team as they take on Manchester United in the FA Cup in midweek.
The Hammers claimed a huge win in their relegation battle against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, with Danny Ings (2), Declan Rice and Michail Antonio finding the net in a 4-0 win.
But there are injuries and players who are cup-tied for this game and won’t be available, meaning Moyes can’t go with an unchanged team to try and keep momentum at Old Trafford.
Lukasz Fabianski suffered a nasty eye injury against Forest and was forced off, so Alphonse Areola will start the game – although he usually always starts cup games anyway.
In defence Vladimir Coufal is suffering with a heel injury so Ben Johnson should move across to right-back for this game, while veteran Aaron Cresswell can come in at left-back for his first start since the defeat to Wolves back in January.
In central defence Nayef Aguerd has been struggling with an injury in recent weeks and could be rested for the league games, meaning Angelo Ogbonna will start alongside Thilo Kehrer at the back.
Lucas Paqueta is another player who has been struggling with fitness issues and could be rested here too. That would see the central midfield pairing of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek reunited once again.
Further forward in attack Jarrod Bowen has looked excellent on the right in recent weeks and has been sharp, so he should continue in that role.
Pablo Fornals continues to impress when given a chance in an attacking midfield role and should come into the side to add some legs and creativity too, while Said Benrahma has been one of the more consistent performers this season on the left and should keep his place.
Danny Ings got two goals in his first start for the club, but the former England international is cup-tied after featuring in this competition for Aston Villa and therefore can’t play.
Gianluca Scamacca is still looking to recover from injury and could get a good amount of minutes, but Antonio has been impressive recently and his goal at the weekend off the bench will see him in good spirits and he should start.
West Ham predicted XI v Man Utd: Areola; Johnson, Kehrer, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma; Antonio