Manchester United are preparing for a crucial trip to London to take on West Ham United on Tuesday night.

Confidence is surging through Old Trafford, with the Red Devils riding a wave of four consecutive Premier League victories.

Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday sealed yet another vital three points for United.

With a quick turnaround between fixtures, caretaker head coach Michael Carrick faces a delicate balancing act as he looks to name a strong yet refreshed starting XI.

There will inevitably be growing calls for Carrick to rest Casemiro against the Hammers.

At 33, it would be unrealistic to demand relentless, high-octane intensity from the Brazilian every few days.

In an ideal scenario, Carrick could manage Casemiro’s minutes by starting him on the bench and introducing him later if needed.

However, United simply do not have that luxury at present.

Casemiro is in the form of his life, anchoring the midfield perfectly alongside Kobbie Mainoo, guarding the defence with his tackles and helping the team attack with vertical passes from deep.

Mainoo has looked exceptional under Carrick and a major credit of his performances should go to...