West Ham will take every advantage they can against former champions now fellow strugglers Manchester United. Erik Ten Hag’s team have had a gruelling Thursday trip to Fenerbahce to contend with, with one player stretchered off and coming home in a reinforced ankle protection boot.
Of course we wish their players a swift recovery – after tomorrow. Both Ten Hag and Lopetegui will be desperate for three points to diffuse the pressure on them – whilst the loser will see the exit door move to the foreground if recent reports are to be believed.
West Ham have Fullkrug unfit and Kudus suspended.
Manchester United – according to manchestereveningnews.co.uk – have a growing likely list of absentees: Leny Yoro (metatarsal) Harry Maguire (foot) Johnny Evans (unknown) Luke Shaw (calf) Tyrell Malacia (knee) Kobbie Mainoo (unspecified muscle injury) Mason Mount (Head Injury) and Toby Collier (unspecified) were all out this week and the list was worsened by Antony spraining his ankle against Fenerbahce and requiring a stretcher off on Thursday night: Surely the game tomorrow will come too soon for him.
A challenge indeed for Ten Hag. Only Skipper Bruno Fernandez will be rested after missing the Thursday game through Suspension following his red card against Porto.
So, the longer West Ham stay in the game, the more fatigue will be a key: A 20 minute late cameo by a marauding Antonio could well produce results providing of course we aren’t 1-4 down by that stage again.
Here we go again, examining our opponents’ injury list in the hope that nine missing players will prove enough to throw Lopetegui another lifeline.