Anthony Martial.

Early team news for United v West Ham

Monday 20 July 2020 15:14

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be without four defenders for Manchester United’s penultimate Premier League match of the season, against West Ham United at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

Eric Bailly was taken off on a stretcher during Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, following an aerial collision with team-mate Harry Maguire. The Ivorian was quickly taken to hospital and, speaking afterwards, Solskjaer revealed his player had a cut on the back of his head that required attention. 

Luke Shaw also missed the match at Wembley Stadium, with an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if the left-back will be fit enough to feature against the Hammers. He is currently on a list of absentees that includes fellow defenders Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones.  

Thankfully, Solskjaer said Maguire is fine after suffering a cut above the eye during his collision with Bailly. The club captain finished the first half with heavy strapping around his forehead, but played the second period without it, and Harry will hope to make his 37th league appearance of the season, maintaining his ever-present record.

Brandon Williams also completed the match in London and that is a major boost following the nasty cut to the head that he sustained against Southampton at Old Trafford last week. Our tough-tackling Academy graduate sported a black eye on Sunday, but was otherwise fit and hopefully emerged unscathed at Wembley. 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says

“That’s the way of a footballer’s life, you need to get over this. We’ll be ready for Wednesday. We know how huge those two games are, they’re going to be massive for us and we’re looking forward to it.”

Elsewhere in the squad, it is assumed that Bruno Fernandes is available for action once again after he shook off a couple of robust first-half challenges on Sunday, and completed the full match.

The Portuguese midfielder scored from the penalty spot late on and, afterwards, posted on Instagram about now being a “time to fight for our goals”. 

Similarly, Anthony Martial appeared to suffer a blow to his lower back just moments after entering the action against Chelsea as a substitute, but the Frenchman played on and finished the game. 

Solskjaer is expected to provide an update on his players when holding a pre-match press conference at the Aon Training Complex on Tuesday morning. Supporters can watch a stream of the media briefing, likely to be from 10:30 BST via MUTV, ManUtd.com and our Official App. 

WHAT ABOUT WEST HAM?

David Moyes's men beat Watford at the weekend to move six points clear of the relegation zone and, crucially, they now have a goal-difference that is significantly better than their closest rivals.

“We are in a good position,” said the former United manager, following the Hammers’ important win on Friday evening. “Teams still have that chance and we have to do our job. Even scoring the goals has helped - I wanted us to keep our goal-difference as good as it could be. We have 37 points with a couple of games to go. If we get 40 points, we'll have done it off our own back.”
West Ham manager David Moyes says

“I wanted us to keep our goal difference as good as it could be. We have 37 points with a couple of games to go. If we get 40 points we'll have done it off our own back.”

Mark Noble made his 500th West Ham appearance and is proud of his achievement. “It's an amazing day for me, my family - this club deserves to be in the Premier League and tonight went a long way to achieving that,” he told reporters.

“Seventeen or 18 years ago I was trying to sneak into Upton Park without a ticket. To play 500 games for the club you grew up supporting, grew up half a mile away from here, your family support - it's what dreams are made of.”

Since the Premier League restarted in June, West Ham's Michail Antonio has scored more Premier League goals than any other player with seven to his name. Jarrod Bowen has also assisted four goals from his last five Premier League appearances, so they are two players to watch.

In terms of their squad, Robert Snodgrass is missing with a back injury and his return has been earmarked for the weekend, while Ryan Fredericks is ruled out with a calf strain.

PREDICT THE LINE-UP

Now you've read the early team news, can you work out who'll be in the United side to face West Ham? Enter your XI and formation at manutd.com/teamselector for your chance to win exclusive prizes.

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