It’s matchday!
United face West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon – a ground Ten Hag has never wont at. In fact, the away side has failed to score in the last five Premier League versions of this fixture.
We’re in decent-ish league form, with 4 points from the last two games; the performance against Brentford at home last weekend being particularly encouraging. However, since then there has been a lacklustre performance against Fenerbache in the Europa League – it’s difficult to know what you’re going to get with United these days.
West Ham themselves have struggled in their league campaign under new manager Julen Lopetegui, sitting in 16th position. However, a win by 2 or more goals would leapfrog the Hammers over United, who sit in 13th, on eleven points.
We beat West Ham convincingly the last time we played them; 3-0 at home. However, the two times before that – at the London Stadium – were 2-0 and 1-0 victories for the East Londoners.
Make no mistake about it; West Ham away is a very difficult fixture.
Manchester United Team News
Bruno is back! The Portugese talisman missed the away game at Fenerbache due to suspension, and is almost certain to start this afternoon.
Fan-favourite Jonny Evans is set to be available for selection, and Noussair Mazraoui is expected to revert to his favoured full-back position, after the Fenerbache midfield experiment.
Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire are still out, and Anthony has been added to our injury list with a sprained ankle – thankfully an injury that shouldn’t keep him out for too long.
United remain without Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia or Leny Yoro, although all four are said to be progressing well and nearing fitness.
Manchester United Possible Lineup
Onana;
Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot;
Eriksen, Fernandes, Ugarte;
Amad, Hojlund, Rashford.
west ham Preview
West Ham have endured a difficult start to the season, but they have played some very tough teams so far, having faced City, Spurs, Villa and Chelsea in their first 8 fixtures.
The dangerous and physical Mohammed Kudus is out through suspension, and Niclas Fullkrug is still sidelined with a calf injury.
West Ham have some very good players that we need to watch out for. The powerful Michail Antonio is set to lead the line, with Jarrod Bowen and Paqueta in the midfield and the big, dangerous Tomas Soucek providing a threat, especially from set pieces. There could be a familiar face at full-back too – Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a key part of Lopetegui’s West Ham
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: LWDLDW
Manchester United form (all competitions): DLDDWD
West Ham Premier League form: LDLDWL
West Ham form (all competitions): DLLDWL
Prediction
It’s hard to know which United is going to turn up at the moment, and our form can seemingly change within matches, the Porto game being probably the best example.
We looked a little bit better against Villa and Brentford, and there were parts of the Fenerbache match that were encouraging too, particularly the performances of new boy Manuel Ugarte and the returning Rasmus Hojlund.
If United can continue in that vein we should have too much for West Ham, so we’re going for a narrow win. With the board supposedly making contact with potential new managerial candidate Xavi just this week, it’s yet another ‘must-win’ game for the Dutchman.
Predicted score: West Ham 1-2 Manchester United
