West Ham United and Manchester United will aim to return to the top half of the Premier League table when they clash at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Sunday is an action-packed day in the Premier League, featuring five of the ‘Big Six’ teams in the four matches that will bring the curtains down on Gameweek 9 of the 2024/25 season. Three simultaneous games will get us underway, including West Ham United vs Manchester United at the London Stadium.
West Ham United were one of the most impressive clubs across Europe in the summer transfer window, with Tim Steidten completing several eye-catching signings for Julen Lopetegui’s debut season. However, the results have not justified the outlay thus far, with the Hammers 15th in the Premier League standings after winning only two of their opening eight games, managing eight points. In addition, they have bowed out of the EFL Cup.
On the other hand, Manchester United have also found wins to come at a premium, managing only four victories in 13 matches across all competitions thus far. The Red Devils have lost as many games as they have won while playing five stalemates, including the UEFA Europa League clash with Fenerbahce earlier this week.
The corresponding fixture last season saw West Ham United clinch a 2-0 win over Manchester United, with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus finding the back of the net. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
West Ham United
Julen Lopetegui has a new roster issue hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The West Ham United manager will be bereft of the services of two first-team players vs Manchester United on Sunday.
Mohammed Kudus is the latest absentee after seeing red in the 4-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. The Ghanaian international will not return until after the next international break. Niclas Fullkrug is the only other absentee, with the German international struggling with a calf injury.
Kudus’s absence means Crysencio Summerville will get a rare opportunity to make his mark, joining Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio in the final third. Lucas Paqueta will reprise the no. 10 role, while Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek will pair up in the double pivot in the middle of the park.
Alphonse Areola is an automatic pick between the sticks, with West Ham United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Manchester United. The backline should feature Emerson Palmieri, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, and former Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville; Antonio
Manchester United
Like his counterpart in the West Ham United dugout, Erik ten Hag has a new injury concern to worry about ahead of the trip to the London Stadium. The Manchester United manager might be without as many as eight first-team players.
Antony is the latest absentee after picking up an injury that made Erik ten Hag feel sorry for him. The Brazilian international has joined Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Harry Maguire (calf), Kobbie Mainoo (hamstring), and Mason Mount (knock) on the sidelines. In addition, the Manchester United manager is sweating over the fitness of Jonny Evans.
Andre Onana will take his spot between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs West Ham United. The backline should feature Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Diogo Dalot. Mazraoui will return to a familiar role after reprising the no. 10 role against Fenerbahce earlier this week.
As for the midfield unit, Christian Eriksen should pair up with Manuel Ugarte, with the latter producing an impressive performance against Fenerbahce. Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford being the two wide attackers. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for Manchester United against West Ham United.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Eriksen, Ugarte; Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Key Stats
- West Ham United will aim to win three consecutive home league games vs Manchester United for the first time since a run of four between 1974 and 1977. The away side has failed to score in the last five league meetings between these sides.
- West Ham United are aiming to win consecutive Premier League games at the London Stadium for the first time since last December. However, a Manchester United goal will make it 14 top-flight home games without a clean sheet for the first time since a run of 16 in 1965.
- Under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United have lost 17 Premier League away games, the same number as they have won while he has been in charge. The Red Devils have only won two of their last 17 league matches in London (D5 L10), both of which were against Fulham.
- West Ham United have conceded nine first-half goals in this season’s Premier League; only Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton have let in more.
- Bruno Fernandes has faced West Ham United 12 times in all competitions with Manchester United but has never scored against them. He is currently on a run of 16 games without a goal in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Crysencio Summerville
With Mohammed Kudus unavailable until after the next international break, Crysencio Summerville has a golden opportunity to make his mark. So, amid a sea of top-class players like Jarrod Bowen, Marcus Rashford, and Bruno Fernandes, West Ham United’s summer signing is our Player to Watch.
The Dutchman will be eager to make his mark in the final third after biding his time in the first two months of the 2024/25 season. Expect a spirited performance from Summerville, who will hope to deliver the goods for West Ham vs Manchester United on Sunday.
Prediction
West Ham United 1-2 Manchester United
Sunday’s match features two teams struggling to find an identity under their managers. While Julen Lopetegui has struggled to stamp his authority since replacing David Moyes at West Ham United, Erik ten Hag has yet to turn Manchester United into a winning machine.
That confusion and the two teams’ defensive woes mean an end-to-end affair is on the cards for Sunday’s Premier League clash at the London Stadium. However, with Rasmus Hojlund improving with every outing, expect him to deliver the goods. The Hard Tackle predicts Manchester United to clinch a narrow 2-1 win vs West Ham United this weekend.