WHZ View: Who replaces Lingard when West Ham face United?
West Ham will be without Jesse Lingard on Sunday when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
The Englishman, 28, will be ineligible to play against his parent club in the huge Premier League clash. The Red Devils took all three points in their December visit to the London Stadium. Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford scored after Tomas Soucek had given West Ham a first-half lead.
Lingard has been in phenomenal form since making the switch, scoring four, assisting one, and winning two penalties in his first six appearances. The Hammers have taken 13 points from a possible 18 since his arrival, losing just once to Manchester City.
His inclusion in David Moyes’ squad has enhanced our attacking threat and really taken us up a notch. His absence on Sunday will be a huge blow. West Ham Zone have identified three players who could come in to replace Lingard.
Jarrod Bowen
Bowen has featured in each of our 27 Premier League games this season, but has found himself on the bench for our last two. He’s registered five goals and three assists in the top-flight and is definitely capable of making an impact.
Despite playing every game, he’s only completed 90 minutes five times this campaign. Sunday could be his opportunity to play a big part. He hasn’t scored since the win over West Brom in August, and has played just 23 minutes of the last two games.
If Moyes were to stick with a back four, then its highly likely Bowen sill slot into the side. He has been known to switch it up, however, and this gives the next two players a chance of featuring.
Ben Johnson
Johnson came on as a substitute in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford last month. He performed so well that he was rewarded with a start in the 3-0 win against Sheffield United in the next game.
The youngster has been in and around the first team all season and is trusted by Moyes. He could come back into the side if we revert to a back three, as he could slot in at left wing-back.
He did struggle away to Manchester City against Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian was all over him in the first half, and found space to assist the City winner. Johnson won’t let it phase him, though, and could be back in the side.
Ryan Fredericks
Admittedly a bit of a long shot, but Fredericks seems to have won the trust of Moyes this season. He was deployed on the right-wing against Villa on Lingard’s debut to double up on Jack Grealish.
Fredericks performed well that evening, and went on to score against Sheffield United a couple of weeks later.
His problem is staying fit. We’re unsure if he’s fit for selection at the moment, but Moyes said he was close before Leeds. If available, he could come in to assist Coufal with Rashford down the United left-flank.
In other West Ham news, here are three players to have played for both West Ham and Manchester United in the Premier League.