Manchester United are reported to have something of an injury critis on their plates with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer facing some tricky selection issues for the Irons visit on Saturday evening.
We are aware that these stories are sometimes planted to create a particular impression but if they turn out to be true then the Hammers have a real fighting chance of creating a shock at Old Trafford.
The Hammers – without a single away win in 2019 – are looking to kick start their form on the road and the injury news may bring something of a boost.
Manuel Pellegrini is far too experience to be fooled lightly but will perhaps smile at the news that Luke Shaw and Ashley Yound are ruled out through suspension.
Beyond that he may have more significant problems both in midfield if the reports are proved correct and with the second leg of the Champions League Cup quarter final clash coming up against Barcelona on Tuesday night, Saturday’s selection was always going to be tricky anyway.
Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic, missed out on the Barca clash and reportedly face a race against the clock to be fit for this one.
Elsewhere, forward Alexis Sanchez has been missing for several weeks, but has convalesced to the point that he could be contention. However, he is going to be low on match fitness.
And at the back Matteo Darmian, Antonio Valencia and Eric Bailly are also expected to be absent.
They should try and play a few games with our injury list…