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United facing injury crisis at centre-back

MANCHESTER UNITED’S stuttering season has been thrown into further chaos after Chris Smalling joined the lengthy list of absentees for the visit of West Ham to Old Trafford on Saturday.

Smalling injured his thigh in training this week and is ruled out along with fellow centre-backs Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Tyler Blackett, while Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard are also out of contention.

Louis van Gaal’s options are limited at centre-back with Marcos Rojo set to be partnered by Daley Blind, Darren Fletcher, Patrick McNair or Tom Thorpe.

United are still only 4-11 to win the match with West Ham at 8-1 to stun the Old Trafford faithful.

The Hammers have been free-scoring in recent encounters – they notched twice against Hull and then three at home to Liverpool last week – and bookmakers have cut West Ham to at least find the net.

Having been 20-21 with Betfred on Sunday to score, Ladbrokes are now best at 7-10 but Sam Allardyce urged caution.

“A draw would be great for me,” said Big Sam. “Anything more than a draw would be outstanding as far as I’m concerned.”

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