Man United XI v West Ham: Confirmed team news and lineup predictions
Martial is set for a scan, but is a major doubt for tonight’s Premier League clash against David Moyes’ high-flying Hammers.
January arrival Amad Diallo came on for Martial and bagged his first senior United goal with a stunning backwards header, though manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to temper expectations with the 18-year-old still a raw prospect with much to learn.
Still, should Martial miss out then Solskjaer has few attacking options beyond the likes of Amad and fellow teenager Shola Shoretire, but United may be wary of throwing a youngster in from the start against a team as well organised as West Ham – particularly if it leaves one flank exposed.
One other option would be to pack the midfield and play Bruno Fernandes as a false nine. The Portuguese midfielder has often found himself the furthest man forward in a rotating attack, and could play a similar role to Ilkay Gundogan at Manchester City when Pep Guardiola was without Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus in a four-man attack.
Scott McTominay has been in decent attacking form this season, so would be the most likely to step up ahead of Fred and Nemanja Matic to support Fernandes in attack.
Man United predicted XI (4-3-3): Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay, Matic; James, Fernandes, Greenwood
Injury list: Pogba, Van de Beek, Mata, Jones
Doubts: Martial, Rashford, Cavani