Manor Solomon starts for West Ham United against Burnley as Nuno Espírito Santo makes one change for Sunday’s Championship opener, with Edson Álvarez absent from the matchday squad at Turf Moor.
The West Ham line-up vs Burnley sees Solomon come into the side which beat Portsmouth 3-1 in the Carabao Cup, replacing Álvarez.
Mads Hermansen continues in goal, with Kyle Walker-Peters, Dinos Mavropanos, Maximilian Kilman and Ollie Scarles forming the back four.
West Ham line-up vs Burnley confirmed
Nuno has selected a youthful central-midfield pairing of Lewis Orford and Mohamadou Kanté, with Solomon joining captain Jarrod Bowen in the wide positions.
Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos lead the attack together.
The biggest talking point is the absence of Álvarez.
The Mexico international is not included among the substitutes, with his omission coming after uncertainty around his West Ham future in recent days.
New £22million signing Arne Engels is also unavailable after not being registered in time for the Championship opener.
West Ham therefore begin the season with a very different midfield combination from the one supporters may eventually expect to see during the promotion campaign.
Nuno does have experience available from the bench.
James Ward-Prowse and George Earthy are among the midfield alternatives, while new defender Joel Veltman and El Hadji Malick Diouf are also substitutes.
Nuno backs young midfield at Turf Moor
Orford and Kanté now have a major responsibility against one of West Ham’s expected promotion rivals.
Burnley are also missing important players. ReadWestHam reported that Josh Cullen, Jordan Beyer and Jaydon Banel would be unavailable for the Championship opener.
West Ham arrive at Turf Moor carrying substantial expectations after relegation.
Nuno’s first Championship selection has now provided an immediate talking point.
Solomon gets his opportunity from the start, Álvarez is missing entirely and two young midfielders have been trusted to control West Ham’s first second-tier fixture in 14 years.
West Ham XI: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles; Bowen ©, Orford, Kanté, Solomon; Pablo, Castellanos.
Subs: Areola, Veltman, Mayers, Golambeckis, Diouf, Ward-Prowse, Earthy, Ajala, Landers.
