West Ham United will look to continue their impressive run of results in the Premier League when they host in-form Manchester United at the London Stadium tonight.
Following a disappointing start to the season – both at their new home and on the road – the Irons were hovering above the relegation zone only a few weeks ago, but three consecutive victories against Burnley, Hull City and Swansea City respectively took them up to 11th, before a loss to champions Leicester on New Year’s Eve rather burst their recent bubble and dropped them to 12th.
This time, they come up against a Manchester United side that have recently put themselves back in contention for a top-four finish – Jose Mourinho’s men are just three points outside of the Champions League qualification spots – and they will be confident of getting another win.
Here is FootballFanCast’s West Ham XI that will take all three points against the Red Devils…
GK: Darren Randolph
The Republic of Ireland international has established himself as Slaven Bilic’s No.1 goalkeeper at the London Stadium and after conceding just one goal in the run of three straight victories before the Leicester loss, he will be confident of keeping a clean sheet against the Red Devils.
That sequence of successes included some brilliant saves from the Irish stopper, but he will need to be on top of his game again when the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic come to the capital.
CB: Cheikhou Kouyate
The Senegal international has been asked to be part of a three-man defence in recent weeks – a position where he has impressed – but he was back in his preferred defensive midfield slot in the game against Swansea with Pedro Obiang suspended.
Kouyate, who will link up with his national side for the African Cup of Nations next week, nearly got himself on the scoresheet in South Wales, but his flick at goal was pushed into the path of teammate Andre Ayew, who had a simple finish.
CB: Winston Reid
The New Zealand defender has become a vital part of West Ham’s spine over the course of the past few seasons, and as well as being a rock at the back – shown by the Irons conceding just twice in their last four games – Reid also popped up with a goal in the 4-1 win against Swansea.
As we mentioned before, the centre-back could be in for a physical battle with Red Devils striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is good goalscoring form.
CB: Angelo Ogbonna
The Italian continues to impress at the back for the Hammers and he will be looking to help his side keep a third clean sheet in four games at the London Stadium when Jose Mourinho’s men come to town.
Ogbonna is a feisty character and he may need to use that aggression against the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, whom he will know well from his spell at Italian giants Juventus.
RWB: Michail Antonio
A change of formation with Pedro Obiang suspended has seen Antonio move from his recent right wing-back position to a more attacking spot on the same side.
However, with the Spaniard set to return from suspension, Bilic could choose to revert to the system he has been using regularly – which means the recent England call-up could return to the more defensively-minded position he has been occupying for the majority of the campaign.
CM: Mark Noble
Following the heavy 5-1 home defeat by Arsenal at the start of December, Slaven Bilic needed his first team stars to stand up and be counted and the Irons captain has certainly done that over the course of the last few weeks.
After scoring winning goals in the 1-0 successes against Burnley and Hull City at the London Stadium, the midfielder again played a key role in the impressive 4-1 triumph over Swansea.
CM: Pedro Obiang
The Spaniard has been one of West Ham’s standout players in what was a disappointing start to the campaign, but he was absent from the 4-1 win against Swansea last weekend because of suspension.
Slaven Bilic changed the system without his key man in the middle of the park, but Obiang should come back into the starting XI after sitting out the loss at Leicester.
LWB: Aaron Cresswell
The former Ipswich man would have been enjoying the change to the left wing-back role in recent weeks as it allows him to get further forward, but he reverted back to his left-back role against Swansea as Bilic chose to go with four at the back.
However, the Croatian boss is expected to go with three central defenders again when United come to town. As well as providing an attacking outlet on the left, Cresswell will also need to be wary in defence against a United frontline that has found some form.
RAM: Andre Ayew
It always seems to happen, so few were surprised when the Ghanaian forward scored on his return to former club Swansea last weekend.
While it may have not been the prettiest of goals – Ayew tapped home from close range after Swans stopper Lukasz Fabianski had fumbled the ball – the attacker showed he can be in the right place at the right time – something the team has lacked on the whole this season.
LAM: Dimitri Payet
While he may not have stood out as much as he did last season, the Frenchman is still in good form this term – he would surely have more assists if the Irons had a fit and in-form striker up top for the majority of the campaign.
When teams like Manchester United visit, sometimes you need a piece of individual brilliance to create something out of nothing and Payet certainly has that in his locker.
ST: Andy Carroll
West Ham’s form has improved since Carroll returned to the starting XI from injury, and it isn’t any coincidence.
The Hammers had been missing that focal point up top all season and he was a huge part of their 4-1 win against Swansea – having a big hand in the first and scoring the fourth with a fine strike.
The striker will need to recreate that sort of influence against the likes of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo if the Irons are to take all three points.
