Writers' predictions: Ten Hag's selection headache for Hammers clash

Against the Moldovan champions, at the Theatre of Dreams, goals from Diogo Dalot, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo handed the Reds the three points in Group E.

But with youngster Alejandro Garnacho impressing on his first senior start, Ronaldo getting on the scoresheet, and the return to fitness of Harry Maguire, the boss is now faced with some decisions to make for the visit of the Hammers.

Here we outline, from front to back, which key decisions Erik is tasked with making ahead of today's fixture…

DEFENSIVE DILEMMAS

Following Raphael Varane’s recent setback, which has ruled him out until the World Cup, Victor Lindelof has slotted into the back-four alongside Lisandro Martinez.

The duo kept a clean sheet in the first half against Sheriff on Thursday, before Martinez was substituted for Maguire.

On his return from injury, Harry looked assured alongside Victor and that particular central pairing also conceded no goals.

Ahead of our clash with the Hammers, who possess physical forwards in the form of Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca, Ten Hag must now select which partnership he feels will be able to deal with their threat the most efficiently.

The other defensive decision the Dutchman has to make is at the left-back spot, with Tyrell Malacia looking solid against Sheriff until he was substituted in the second-half for Luke Shaw, who provided the assist for Rashford’s goal.

Shaw has started the last four Premier League fixtures for the Reds, during which we have conceded only two goals, and looks to have established himself as Erik’s current preferred option for domestic fixtures.

– Joe Nelson

THE ENGINE ROOM

In midfield, Ten Hag is not short of options for Sunday’s encounter with the Hammers.

While Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes have both been ever-presents in our last seven starting XIs, Christian Eriksen (four times) and Fred (three times) have both filled that third and final spot in the middle of the park.

I think Erik will opt to extend that run of starts for Casemiro and Fernandes on Sunday, as well as picking Eriksen to help United dictate play from deeper areas.

The boss spoke in his pre-match press conference about the need for the Reds to be “dynamic” on the ball to find gaps against a stern West Ham side that are only giving up an average of one goal per game in the Premier League this season. Eriksen can certainly help with that.

– Mikey Partington

ATTACKING OPTIONS

Alejandro Garnacho's performance against Sheriff was the highlight of the night for a sold-out Old Trafford crowd on Thursday. It's always great to see youngsters making a strong impression, but Garnacho's performance – and the goals for Rashford and Ronaldo – has not made Erik ten Hag’s selection process for Sunday any easier.

Anthony Martial remains injured, so Erik has to decide who will play as our central forward, while there's also Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga waiting in the wings.

Competition is growing fiercer by the week, which the boss will love. But who will get the nod against the Hammers?

Rashford seems a certainty, given his excellent goal on Thursday and strong all-round performances in recent weeks. Antony should retain his place too, after a confident start to life in England.

That leaves a bit of a dogfight for the remaining attacking berth, but I expect Sancho to get another chance, after missing Thursday's game. That would leave Ronaldo and Garnacho as substitute options, and very dangerous ones indeed.

- Joe Ganley

Predict Erik's starting XI, our Man of the Match, first goalscorer and more, in our United Predictions game - available in the United App. Please note, line-ups must be predicted at least 90 minutes before kick-off.