West Ham vs Man United: Match Preview, Predictions & Team News
Sunday brings an intriguing showdown at the London Stadium as West Ham vs Man United in a fixture carrying substantial weight for both clubs. United aim to secure back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season, while West Ham are keen to move clear of the drop zone. With both teams under early-season pressure, Sunday’s encounter could prove decisive in shaping their campaigns.
Jarrod Bowen, the Hammers’ captain, will be aiming for a decisive strike against the Red Devils. Man United, on the other hand, will be vying to return to winning ways after their 1-1 draw with Fenerbahçe on Thursday and deal West Ham a crushing blow and their sixth defeat of the season.
The London Stadium is no longer the stronghold that Upton Park once was, but The Hammers will try to prevent any premature optimism on United’s part in the wake of the War of the Wounds and Matthijs de Ligt’s dictation of talking points from last week.
This clash at the London Stadium could be pivotal for Erik ten Hag and Julen Lopetegui, with both managers feeling the heat after underwhelming starts to the season. For Ten Hag, expectations at Manchester United have soared, and a lack of consistency, exacerbated by tactical experiments that have yet to bear fruit, has fans and pundits alike questioning his future.
A defeat to West Ham—especially following a lacklustre European performance—could push the United hierarchy to consider drastic changes. Lopetegui, meanwhile, has been similarly scrutinised at West Ham. The Hammers have slid dangerously close to the relegation zone under his watch, with issues in both defence and attack raising doubts about his ability to stabilise the squad.
Another home loss, particularly if it exposes West Ham’s lingering defensive fragilities, might test the patience of West Ham’s board, who invested heavily in the summer to avoid exactly this predicament. For both managers, a defeat could mark the tipping point, pushing either club towards the possibility of fresh leadership. Both sides have struggled since David Moyes has left the role of manager.
West Ham Team News
West Ham currently sit fifteenth in the table with eight points from eight games. A disappointing performance away to Tottenham last week saw the Londoners concede four goals, with Mohammed Kudus receiving his marching orders for a flair up with Micky Van de Ven and Richarlison.
The absence of Kudus could make way for Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville. The former Leeds United man has only started one game for the The Hammers this season.
Former Red Aaron Wan-Bissaka will line up against his former team mates on Sunday, likely alongside centre backs of Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo. The former United man has been encouraged to push forward from Lopetegui of late, something he was not renowned for during his days in Manchester. Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen exclaimed to Premier League productions
“If you’re going to ask somebody to get up wide and come inside and play central, I don’t know why you’d get Wan- Bissaka. That’s not his game”
The Irons will also be without the services of Niclas Füllkrug. The German is yet to fully recover from a calf injury sustained on international duty in September. Lopetegui has come under pressure for West Ham’s dispiriting start to the season. He will be hoping for history to repeat itself, as the Londoner’s have won their last two home meetings against United to nil.
The Spaniard is also rumoured to be considering selecting the temperamental Edson Alvarez. The Mexican midfielder has failed to make the starting eleven for the last two league fixtures, following his dismissal against Liverpool last month.
Man United Team News
The United faithful will be hopeful that the 2-1 victory over Brentford initiated the Rasmus Højlund resurgence after his injury hampered start to the season. The Dane capped off a fine performance with a dink over Mark Flekken, provided by a sublime Bruno Fernandes assist. With 35 minutes of play under his belt on Thursday night, Hojlund will lead the line after another dull display from Joshua Zirkzee.
Bruno’s flick into Hjlund’s path served as a reminder of the inventiveness Fernandes offered. His ability to construct a goal scoring opportunity from one deft touch had United fans reminiscing of the scintillating assist to Kobbie Mainoo in last season’s FA Cup victory.
With Alejandro Garnacho operating off the left, Marcus Rashford offered a revitalised performance off the right. Rashford created four chances against Brentford, including a sublime assist for Garnacho’s equaliser, the most he’s created in one game in the past five years. A strong partnership on the flanks for United will prove fruitful if Ten Hag can identify his strongest attacking components, with Garnacho, Hojlund and Rashford likely to lead the line.
The midweek tie against Fenerbahçe saw a peculiar line-up, to say the least, with Noussair Mazraoui operating as the number ten, which undoubtedly proved frustrating to Amad Diallo, who entered the playing field in the 89th minute. August’s player of the month now finds himself the fourth-choice winger in the squad, with fans longing for his creative flair.
It appears there is a lack of trust between Ugarte and the manager. It cannot be denied that Thursday’s game in Istanbul was Ugarte’s finest performance in a United jersey, capped by a phenomenal block in the six-yard box.
Matthijs de Ligt will likely partner Lisandro Martinez in the centre of defence. Diogo Dalot will continue to operate off the left, with Mazraoui returning to right back after Ten Hag’s experiment ultimately failed in Istanbul.
West Ham vs Man United Prediction
Man United 1 – 0 West Ham
With both teams evidently struggling, a goal-fest would be surprising. Leaky defences accompanied with lethargic attacks could make this a dull encounter.
Rasmus Højlund’s goal threat accompanied with a rested Bruno Fernandes could be the difference in this one. The West Ham defence gifted four goals to Spurs last weekend.
Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen have started the season slowly, scoring two goals between them. The ever-present Tomáš Souček has found the net twice so far this season; the Londoners will need a big performance from the Czech international to take points off United.
It remains to be seen what will unfold in the London Stadium on Sunday; with both managers under pressure, it could prove to be a cagey affair. The travelling Reds will be sure to make their voices heard over the chorus of the West Ham contingent, sensing that one moment of magic could change the course of this game. Will Manchester United claim the victory they so desperately need, or will West Ham forge their path of ascendency up the Premier League table?
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