Predicted XI | MUFC vs. West Ham United (5/12/2015)

GOAL | David de Gea

DEFENSE | Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair, Daley Blind

As we were for last Saturday's draw away to Leicester I presume...

Rojo is out with a dislocated shoulder, so Blind will continue at LB. Jones is also still out so McNair will carry on in the centre partnering big Mike Smalling. Darmian, of course, will play on the right in defence.

MIDFIELD | Jesse Lingard, Morgan Schneiderlin, Juan Mata, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ashley Young

Now recovered from his brief injury, Lingard has to start again on the left for me. Every time he picks up the ball in midfield he looks bright, energetic and fills us with hope that something decent is about to happen. He's definitely been United's most adventurous player during this rather dreary spell we're currently in the midst of. Now onto the rest of the midfield...

Reader's of my blog will know my thoughts on the one-dimensional, oppressive system that is currently being deployed by the manager - emphasised most prevalently by the constant reliance on the two holding midfielders plonked in front of the back four. Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger therefore will undoubtedly continue their run in that role. As class as they both are I really do wish he started FOR ONCE with only one in the side, ideally operating in a 4-3-3. You can only dream, eh?

In Rooney's absence (ankle) Mata will play in the no.10, and personally I'd like to see Young go on a little run on the left now - although I can see Depay, now recovered from the injury that kept him out of the Leicester game, restored to the line-up.

ATTACK | Anthony Martial

No Rooney so Martial will lead the line alone. Confidentially and successfully one hopes...he's certainly due a goal after the fantastic start he made to his United career having not scored since the Champions League drew against CSKA Moscow in October and Southampton away (on 20th September) in the league!

Prediction | 2-0

I can see us getting back to winning ways in the game at home to the Hammer's tomorrow afternoon. They're awesome start to the season disintegrated and restored itself into the average brand of football we come to expect of them. In addition I'd hope to see a more mobile Martial against West Ham, operating with a bit more freedom thanks to the absence of Rooney.