Michail Antonio axed, Said Benrahma keeps place – West Ham United confirmed XI v Manchester United
West Ham United have confirmed their starting XI for their Premier League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
David Moyes has made ten changes to the side that beat Silkeborg in the Hammers’ UEFA Conference League fixture on Thursday evening.
Łukasz Fabiański starts ahead of Alphonse Areola in goal, with Thilo Kehrer, Craig Dawson, Kurt Zouma and Aaron Cresswell replacing Ben Johnson, Nayef Aguerd, Angelo Ogbonna and Emerson in defence.
Vladimir Coufal, Conor Coventry, Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini have also been replaced, with Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice and Flynn Downes making up a three-man midfield for the Irons.
Gianluca Scamacca has been preferred to Michail Antonio up front with Jarrod Bowen returning to the side. Said Benrahma is the only player to retain his place from the Silkeborg win.
Tough test
In recent years, Manchester United have been somewhat of a club in turmoil and results at Old Trafford have been there for the taking for lesser teams. However, it does feel like the tides are changing slightly at the club after Erik ten Hag’s appointment as manager.
The Dutchman has rejuvenated some of United’s underperforming players, as well as seeing his summer arrivals really hit the ground running at Old Trafford with the likes of Anthony and Lisandro Martinez becoming instant hits.
It’s likely to be a backs-against-the-wall performance for the Hammers with Moyes’ men comfortable relinquishing possession and looking to hit the Red Devils on the counterattack. It’s important the Hammers don’t lose this game, with a point being a good result.
Results on Saturday (29 October) have seen the Irons drop back down to 13th in the league, although a win will propel David Moyes’ men up to ninth position and ahead of Liverpool.
Time for West Ham to pick up a statement win against one of the big six clubs.