After Manchester United’s unceremonious elimination from the FA Cup this past weekend, focus shifts back to their Champions League qualification run.
United have two games left, home against West Ham on Wednesday, and possibly the make or break away match against Leicester City over the weekend.
Leicester City’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur ensures that United are now in control of their own destiny as far as the top-four race is concerned, and qualification for next season’s Champions League is undoubtedly their priority at the business end of the campaign.
United are now level on points and goal difference with the Foxes, meaning that victory here would leave them simply needing to avoid defeat on the final day to secure a return to the Champions League.
Wednesday’s match against West Ham will give manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer several things to think about when selecting his lineup.
There is no doubt that the amount of matches since the restart has taken a toll on United. The players are tired, need a rest but United need to win so it is a no-win situation for the players and manager.
Expect Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba, and Mason Greenwood, who all sat out from on Sunday, to return as part of a Man United attacking line.
Eric Bailly has returned from his stay in the hospital after triggering the concussion protocol but will be out of Wednesday’s match. Luke Shaw remains a major doubt after twisting his ankle against Southampton, while Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are out as well.
West Ham who secured their place in the league next season, have a couple of attacking players in good form too. Michail Antonio has scored more Premier League goals than anyone else since the season restart in June, and Jarrod Bowen has assisted four goals in his last five games.
Man Utd possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Williams; Matic, Pogba; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
West Ham possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Johnson, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Noble, Fornals; Antonio
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