West Ham host sixth place Manchester United at the London Stadium this evening (5.15pm kick-off) in their opening Premier League game of 2017.

Slaven Bilic’s side saw their three-game winning run ended by champions Leicester on New Year’s Eve, with Islam Slimani’s first half goal enough to see off the Hammers at the King Power Stadium.

Prior to that, Bilic’s men beat Burnley, Hull, and Swansea to move well clear of the bottom three, this all after sitting just a point and a place above the relegation zone following their 5-1 defeat at home to Arsenal less than a month ago.

West Ham are 12th in the table going into this evening’s clash against an in-form United, with Jose Mourinho’s men having won their last five Premier League matches.

They left it late to overcome Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on New Year’s Eve, but the Red Devils know that victory over the Hammers this evening could take them level on points with neighbours Manchester City in fifth.

With both sides having played less than 48 hours ago, both managers may look to rotate their squad, so here are THREE West Ham players who deserve a chance against United later on today…

Pedro Obiang

Mark Noble was forced off in the Hammers’ 1-0 defeat at Leicester on New Year’s Eve following a nasty challenge from Daniel Amartey, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be fit enough to start.

If not, Bilic may turn to 24-year-old Pedro Obiang in a bid to shore up his midfield.

The former Spanish Under-21 international was benched for the trip to the King Power Stadium 48 hours ago, but before then was a key part of the West Ham midfield that beat Burnley and Hull, and drew at Liverpool.

West Ham’s Player of the Month for October may well return to the starting line-up against United as Bilic’s men look for a third straight home league victory.

Edimilson Fernandes

It’s likely that Manchester United will have the majority of the ball at the London Stadium this evening, so West Ham will need an outlet to relieve some of the pressure.

And he could be in the form of youngster Edimilson Fernandes.

The Swiss international has made just three Premier League starts for the Hammers this season, although has made eight substitute appearances for the club.

The 20-year-old is quick and can play anywhere across the middle, and would certainly give West Ham another option on the counter attack, such is his direct running and ability to pick out a pass.

Fernandes could be what Bilic and West Ham need against United this evening.

Manuel Lanzini

United have conceded just three goals in their last five Premier League games, and West Ham will need their most talented individuals on show this evening in a bid to get the three points.

Thus, 23-year-old Manuel Lanzini could come back into the side.

The Argentine midfielder has made 13 starts for the Hammers in the league this season, but lasted just 45 minutes on his last start for the club in their 1-0 win over Hull on December 17.

However, Lanzini’s quality is evident and, although he hasn’t had the desired effect in his most recent starts, a home game to kick off the New Year could be what he needs to kick-start his season.