Two sides in need of a quick upswing in form face off at Old Trafford on Sunday when Manchester United host West Ham.
Neither side have fully lived up to expectations since August, though 17th placed West Ham’s need for points is the most pressing after picking up just one in their last three games.
But under new manager Jose Mourinho Manchester United have not lived up to lofty expectations and could find themselves as many as nine points off the top four when they kick off the weekend’s final fixture.
Strugging attacker Anthony Martial most probably will be left out of the starting XI against West Ham.
Jose Mourinho would be looking to make four changes to the team that beat Feyenoord 4-0 on Thursday in the Europa League, with David de Gea, Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford returning to the line-up.
Sergio Romero, Daley Blind, Wayne Rooney and Henrikh Mkhitaryan expected to be dropped despite their positive performances.
Martial, 20, did not feature in the European encounter, but started the club’s last league match against Arsenal.
The France international is yet to find any consistency this season and scored just two goals in 13 appearances.
Rashford should start ahead of Martial on the left wing and Mkhitaryan would also miss out despite his display against Feyenoord, with the attacker not featuring in the Premier League since September.
United’s strongest defensive set-up would be with De Gea in goal, with Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia in the full-back positions.
Rojo and Phil Jones should play at centre-back as defenders Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly are both sidelined through injury.
Michael Carrick and Herrera would form the strongest midfield as they are set
to be tested against a physical and positive West Ham side.
France international Paul Pogba should push further forward into a number 10 position and show the attacking side to his game, with Wayne Rooney unlucky to miss out after his display on Thursday.
Mkhitaryan certainly impressed supporters against Feyenoord on his return to the side, but he is not yet ready to start a Premier League match and could be a useful option off the bench.
Rashford would be the best option to damage the West Ham defence and should get the nod ahead of Martial and Jesse Lingard, with consistent performer Juan Mata occupying the right wing.
Ibrahimovic will return to lead the attack and will be keen to redeem himself after missing the Arsenal game through suspension.
The striker scored a brace in his last league game against Swansea and currently has eight goals in 18 appearances for United.