West Ham United head into their Premier League encounter with Manchester United having put together a three-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. United are undefeated in five outings, but the EFL Cup exit to Derby County and tension between manager Jose Mourinho and midfielder Paul Pogba has led to a change in mood behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic could return from the knee injury which ruled him out last weekend. Midfielder Carlos Sanchez picked up a knock in the 8-0 League Cup win over Macclesfield Town and will face a fitness test. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is likely to make sweeping changes after Tuesday’s defeat by Derby County. Forward Marcus Rashford returns from a three-match ban, while Marcos Rojo is the only long-term absentee. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero is suspended after his red card in midweek, with Lee Grant likely to take his place on the bench.
West Ham United
West Ham supporters had every reason to fear the worst for their season when Adama Traore’s late winner for Wolverhampton Wanderers condemned the club to a fourth successive Premier League defeat before the international break.
Manuel Pellegrini found his side sitting at the bottom of the table and struggling at both ends of the pitch, but a chance to regroup over a two-week period has worked wonders for a club who spent big during the summer transfer window. A 3-1 victory away at Everton has been backed up by a goalless draw with then-leaders Chelsea and not only has it led to West Ham moving out of the bottom three, but it has also resulted in renewed optimism at the London Stadium.
Manuel Pellegrini found his side sitting at the bottom of the table and struggling at both ends of the pitch, but a chance to regroup over a two-week period has worked wonders for a club who spent big during the summer transfer window. A 3-1 victory away at Everton has been backed up by a goalless draw with then-leaders Chelsea and not only has it led to West Ham moving out of the bottom three, it has resulted in renewed optimism at the London Stadium.
West Ham will have to be guarded against Man United being keen to respond to all of the negative headlines associated with the club right now, but this could be regarded as a free shot at gaining what had seemed an unlikely result against one of the top-six clubs in the division.
Recent form: LLLLWD
Recent form (all competitions): LWLWDW
Manchester United
A report has suggested that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has no plans to part ways with either manager Jose Mourinho or midfielder Paul Pogba, despite the pair’s relationship seemingly taking a turn for the worse over the past week.
However, Woodward may be forced to reconsider his stance should United not improve on the pitch, with the club out of the EFL Cup and sitting eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool in the Premier League table.
The midweek penalty-shootout defeat to Derby County will not be regarded as a major setback in the long term, but the performance was again below the level expected by Mourinho and the club’s fanbase.
United have now won just four of their eight matches in all competitions this season – despite having only played one of their direct title rivals – and Mourinho must get wins on the board in order to maintain any sort of a challenge for the top-flight crown.
The Portuguese will be aware that he cannot allow any issues with Pogba to linger, but stripping the France international of the vice-captaincy and getting into a confrontation with the player at the club’s training ground on Wednesday has only highlighted the tension behind the scenes.
Concerns also remain at the back with only two clean sheets being kept all season, and only a number of chances wasted by Wolves led to United earning a share of the spoils last weekend.
Victory over West Ham this weekend could go a long way to improving matters both on and off the pitch, but defeat may only lead to Mourinho facing a fight to keep hold of his job at Old Trafford.
Recent form: WLLWWD
Recent form (all competitions): LWWWDD
Head-to-head
- West Ham’s solitary victory in 19 Premier League games against Manchester United came in May 2016 in their last game at Upton Park (D5, L13).
- The Hammers have failed to score in their last three league matches against United.
West Ham United
- West Ham could remain winless in their opening four Premier League home games of a season for the first time since 2009.
- They are at risk of equalling the club top-flight record of failing to score in three consecutive home matches.
- The Hammers have won only one of their past 16 league fixtures against the established top-six teams, a 1-0 home victory versus Chelsea last December (W1, D5, L10).
- They have won just two of their seven top-flight games without Marko Arnautovic (D3, L2).
- Arnautovic has been directly involved in half of West Ham’s last 40 league goals, scoring 14 and setting up six.
Manchester United
- Defeat for United would equal their worst return of 10 points after seven matches of a Premier League season.
- Manchester United have kept one clean sheet in the Premier League this season, conceding nine times in six games.
- The Red Devils have won only four of their last 15 top-flight fixtures in London (D3, L8).
- Romelu Lukaku could become the first player to score in United’s opening four away matches of a Premier League season.
- Lukaku has scored 11 goals in his last 11 games against West Ham in all competitions.
- Anthony Martial has registered six goals and two assists in his last five appearances versus The Hammers.
Predictions
West Ham United 1-2 Manchester United
West Ham will be on a high after their recent results – and having kept successive clean sheets at the London Stadium – but United need a response to put themselves back into the title picture and we feel that the North-West giants will edge to victory in England’s capital.