West Ham take on Manchester United at the London Stadium in the Premier League this weekend, as the Hammers attempt to break into the top six.
David Moyes’ men earned a convincing 3-0 win against Wolves last time out, while the Red Devils defended resolutely and picked up a point in a goalless stalemate against Liverpool at Anfield.
Here’s everything you need to know about this Saturday’s clash.
Form
West Ham: DWLWW
The East London outfit have won seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions, and Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus were on fine form as they breezed past Wolves 3-0 last weekend.
Paqueta assisted all three of the home sides’ goals to move the Europa Conference League winners up to eighth in the table, one point behind Saturday’s opponents.
Summer signing Kudus netted a brace to take his Premier League goal tally to five in just eight starts and Jarrod Bowen added a third. He’s now joint-third in the league’s scoring charts, behind only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland.
Jarrod increases his goalscoring tally ???? pic.twitter.com/MHz7eOieDN
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 18, 2023
Bowen is likely to continue playing at striker in the absence of Michail Antonio, who remains out with a knee injury. West Ham will be hoping for a response to their disappointing Carabao Cup exit in midweek, as the Hammers lost 5-1 at Liverpool.
Manchester United: LWLLD
Erik ten Hag’s men have only won one of their last six games in all competitions but received plaudits for their defensive efforts at Anfield, as they became the first team this season to keep out Liverpool in their 0-0 draw.
Manchester United are:
▪️ The first team not to lose at Anfield this season
▪️ The first team to stop Liverpool scoring this season????♂️ pic.twitter.com/a5LAvAW2Sd
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 17, 2023
Central defender Raphael Varane picked up the Man of the Match award at Anfield in his first league start since September, as Andre Onana helped himself to a sixth clean sheet in the league.
It’s in front of goal where the 13-time Premier League winners have struggled. They’ve failed to score in each of their past three games and £72m summer signing Rasmus Hojlund is still without a league goal.
The Red Devils have failed to win any of their last 18 away games in the Premier League against the current top 10, dating back to 2021, nearly a year before Ten Hag took charge of the club.
Diogo Dalot is suspended for the clash after he picked up two quick-fire yellow cards in the closing moments at Anfield. He joins fellow defenders Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia on the sidelines.
Midfielders Casemiro and Mason Mount will be out for the festive period but the club will welcome back Bruno Fernandes, who sat out a one-match suspension last weekend.
Last Meeting
West Ham 1-0 Manchester United, May 7th 2023
A David de Gea howler allowed the home side to pick up three points to all but secure their Premier League survival the last time the two sides met.
The Spanish shot-stopper made his fourth error leading to a goal that season, as a tame Said Benrahma strike trickled past the now free agent ‘keeper. Defeat saw Ten Hag’s men miss the chance to move into third place.
It was a much needed win for the Hammers, who had lost their last three games, and were just four points above the relegation zone before kick-off with four matches left to play.
David Moyes’ men had the matter of a Europa Conference League semi-final just four days later, and beat AZ Alkmaar 3-1 on aggregate to progress to the final, where they would beat Fiorentina 2-1 in Prague.
Despite falling to a defeat, Manchester United kicked on and were victorious in their last four league games to claim a comfortable third place finish.
Predicted lineups
West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Bowen, Paqueta.
Manchester United: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Varane, Shaw; Mainoo, McTominay, Fernandes; Antony, Hojlund, Rashford.
Who is the referee?
Simon Hooper.
Is West Ham v Manchester United on TV?
UK and Ireland: TNT Sports.
USA: USA Network.
What time is kick off?
Saturday 23rd November, 12:30pm GMT.
Odds
West Ham – 8/5
Draw – 13/5
Manchester United – 8/5
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