Manchester United are set for an important Premier League trip to London as they prepare to face West Ham United.
The match comes at a busy time for the Red Devils, but confidence inside the camp is high after a strong run of results.
United are currently one of the most in-form teams in the league. Four wins in a row have lifted the mood at Old Trafford and brought belief back among the players and fans.
The latest victory, a solid 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, showed how much progress the side has made under Michael Carrick.
However, with little time to recover before the West Ham game, Carrick now faces some big decisions, especially at the back.
Carrick is forced to think carefully at the back
The defence is where the biggest question marks lie. United have looked more organised in recent weeks, but the schedule is starting to take its toll.
Harry Maguire has been ever-present during this winning run. He has played the full 90 minutes in each of the last four matches, which is a big ask for any defender.
This is even more important when you consider Maguire has only recently returned from a long thigh injury.
At nearly 33 years old, pushing Maguire to start again with such a short gap between games could be risky.
Carrick will be aware that one wrong decision could lead to another injury setback.
With Matthijs de Ligt still unavailable, United does not have many senior options in central defence. That situation may force Carrick to look towards youth.
Leny Yoro is waiting for his chance
One player who could benefit is Leny Yoro. The young centre-back has barely featured under Carrick so far and has been limited to just a brief cameo in recent weeks.
Yoro has not started a match for over a month, and his last proper appearance came against Leeds United.
Since then, he has been watching from the sidelines, waiting for another chance to prove himself.
It has not been an easy season for the young defender. He struggled for form late last year and found it hard to settle into the team. But there is still a huge belief in his ability inside the club.
United did not sign Yoro cheaply. He arrived from Lille in a big-money deal, and that alone shows how highly he is rated.
He has the physical strength, height, and pace needed to succeed in the Premier League.
Martinez’s partnership could help a young defender
If Carrick does decide to start Yoro, the support around him will be key. Having Lisandro Martinez next to him could make a big difference.
Martinez brings leadership, aggression, and experience. Playing alongside him would allow Yoro to keep things simple and focus on his main job, defending.
In a back four system, Yoro would not need to cover as much space as he did previously in a back three.
That could help him feel more comfortable and reduce the chances of mistakes.
It would also take pressure off him when United has the ball, as Martinez is more confident in building play from deep areas.
West Ham will test United’s progress
West Ham will not make things easy. They are also in good form and have picked up wins in three of their last four games.
Playing away in London is never simple, especially against a physical and well-organised side.
This match will be another test of how far United have come under Carrick. Rotation may be needed, but the balance between freshness and stability must be right.
For Yoro, this could be a big moment. A strong performance would remind everyone why United invested so heavily in him and could help him re-establish himself in the squad.
For Carrick, it is another chance to show calm decision-making under pressure.
One thing is clear, Manchester United is moving in the right direction.
`The West Ham game will show whether they can keep that momentum going during a demanding period of the season.
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