da brwin： Manchester United and West Ham face-off for the second time in only a handful of days on Wednesday night. The EFL Cup returns for a game that could, potentially, be pivotal in the seasons of both clubs. After playing out a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon, Slaven Bilic and Jose Mourinho are likely to rejig their respective packs for the cup game.
da cassino online： Both managers are under pressure ahead of this match, too. Mourinho has seen his side slip out of Premier League’s title race and suffer from a consistent problem finishing chances, while Bilic’s team are currently in a rather unexpected relegation battle. The EFL Cup can be seen as a welcome distraction, of course, but that throws up its own array of issues around team selection.
The potential reverberations from this fixture are enormous. Defeat for Manchester United could see yet another meltdown from Jose Mourinho, while West Ham are in need of a confidence boost that could be brought about by an unlikely Old Trafford success.
We think Man United have enough to get past the Hammers though, and here is the XI they should pick…
GK – Sergio Romero
Criticised at times, Romero has been a solid deputy to David de Gea for the majority of his Manchester United career.
With Man United’s upcoming Europa League future an important one, Romero should be given minutes in the EFL Cup to keep fresh.
RB – Antonio Valencia
Surprisingly one of Mourinho’s perceived most trusted players, Antonio Valencia has been a reliable defender throughout this season.
Set to be against the dangerous Dimitri Payet, Valencia will not be the same offensive force he usually is.
CB – Phil Jones
It feels like about a decade since Phil Jones last started several games in a short period like he has of late.
Jones has shown signs of becoming the defender that Manchester United thought they had signed, too.
CB – Marcos Rojo
As with Jones, Rojo has performed maturely recently.
Breaking up play on several occasions at the weekend, Rojo’s place is only at risk if Daley Blind surprisingly becomes an alternative for Mourinho.
LB – Luke Shaw
Whatever is going on behind the scenes (or in the media) with Jose Mourinho and Luke Shaw is at risk of damaging the left-back’s career.
Although he is yet to replicate the form he showed at Southampton, Shaw was signed for the future and Manchester United must invest time in him.
CM – Morgan Schneiderlin
Morgan Schneiderlin is another player cast aside by Jose Mourinho who should return to the set-up.
As Mourinho continues to tinker with his line-up from game to game, it’s time he finds a place for Schneiderlin at least as a squad member.
CM – Ander Herrera
Although Herrera has been used as the deepest midfielder by Jose Mourinho of late, the Spaniard should still be seen as an option in a box-to-box role.
Able to run beyond the West Ham central midfielders to create an overload, Herrera’s energy from deep would give the Red Devils an extra dimension in possession.
RAM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
After a dazzling display against Feyenoord, it was a little surprising that Jose Mourinho opted to leave the Armenian on the bench at the weekend.
Impressing again in his Sunday cameo, Mkhitaryan is a guaranteed starter on Wednesday.
LAM – Juan Mata
So often undervalued since he moved to Manchester United, Mata has often sprung up with a crucial goal or assist this season.
Whether he plays from the left, right or behind the striker, the Spaniard has to start against West Ham.
CF – Wayne Rooney
Since the tedium of the ‘drunk Rooney’ saga, Manchester United’s skipper has markedly improved. A tidy cameo at the weekend, followed an excellent display against Feyenoord, show there are signs that Rooney could be returning to somewhere near his best.
Whether from the left or in an interchanging role with Mkhitaryan and Mata, Rooney must be given a start. We think he’ll play just off the striker, though.
ST – Marcus Rashford
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s finishing will return to its remarkable norm sooner or later, but the towering Swede deserves a rest as much as anyone.
Additionally, Manchester United need to make sure they can get Rashford back to somewhere near the levels of performance he showed last season – even if his finishing will not be quite as prolific.