Team news for Hammers clash

Ruben Amorim has indicated that he will not take any risks over his players’ fitness when Manchester United welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Although the priority is naturally the Europa League final later this month, successfully reached with a brilliant 7-1 aggregate triumph over Athletic Club in the last-four stage, there is the awareness that the east Londoners would go above us in the table if they get the three points from the 14:15 BST kick-off.

Amorim is being forced to balance things but did hint during his press conference that Harry Maguire is a doubt, with the centre-back spending a short time down on the pitch towards the end of Thursday’s 4-1 win, even though he did not require treatment.

Noussair Mazraoui was withdrawn, with the boss reiterating the Morocco international was tired, and the same was said about Alejandro Garnacho, who made way for Amad.

Although Bruno Fernandes was rested for the game at Brentford last weekend, the skipper could feature on home turf against Graham Potter’s Hammers.

“Bruno doesn’t have the problem of any injury [touches wood] but Harry has,” confirmed Amorim. “So we have to manage that but they have to play and it is better to play than to stay out.”

However, later in his press conference, our head coach did stress he will not be taking any risks with his squad, with the Tottenham Hotspur clash on the horizon.

“I have to make a choice,” he stated. “What is the best for the club, not what is the best for me. I make a choice in this moment. I’m going to try to save all the players because it’s really important for us to win the final.”

The substitutes were praised for their impact against Athletic Club and will obviously be in Amorim’s thinking, with two-goal Mason Mount pressing for a start.

Harry Amass gained more valuable experience and is an option to come into the side again, while Luke Shaw continues to be managed carefully. 

Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez, Toby Collyer and Joshua Zirkzee were all ruled out of the Europa League semi-final, but Chido Obi is available again after being ineligible.

WEST HAM’S TEAM NEWS

The visitors are without long-term absentees Crysencio Summerville and Michail Antonio.

Edson Alvarez is returning from injury for the east Londoners, as he has recovered from a back problem.

“Edson is back,” confirmed Graham Potter during his press conference. “He’s had an issue with his back, but he had an injection a few days ago, so that’s good. He’s back in the squad. Apart from that, no new injuries.”

The club have confirmed Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell and Danny Ings are all set to leave at the end of the season but obviously they remain available for selection.

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