Prediction: Manchester United vs West Ham

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 7/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Hoping to secure back-to-back Premier League victories on Sunday afternoon, Manchester United will welcome West Ham to Old Trafford.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, eventually leaving Wolves with a remarkable 4-3 victory earlier in the week, Manchester United will now be desperate to find some crucial Premier League stability. Extending on their FA Cup adventure last week as they secured an action-packed 4-2 win away at League Two outfit Newport, Erik ten Hag’s side know the importance of mounting a genuine top-four charge in 2024. Crashing out of the Champions League back in December and with no European adventure on the horizon for this year, the former Ajax boss has found some extended pressure on his shoulders. Claiming just a pair of victories from their previous seven Premier League appearances – a run that stems back to a 2-1 win against Chelsea on December 6th – United will be desperate to make a statement of intent here. However, showing some continued inconsistencies at Old Trafford, ten Hag’s side could face a rugged test on Sunday afternoon.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Manchester United will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and England international Mason Mount. However, after suffering AFCON heartbreak with Morocco last week, Sofyan Amrabat could make a return to ten Hag’s squad here.

Now finding the net in each of his last three domestic appearances on the bounce, summer recruit Rasmus Hojlund will spearhead United’s charge this weekend. Notching a fifth Premier League goal of the season away at Wolves in midweek, Marcus Rashford will partner Hojlund in the final third.

West Ham

As for the visitors, while West Ham might still find themselves firmly battling it out in the top-six chase, David Moyes’ men are seeking a recent boost. Putting in an uninspiring display earlier in the week as they had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Bournemouth, the one-time Manchester United boss has seen his squad fail to win any of their previous five domestic appearances across all competitions. Crashing out of the FA Cup last month following a shock 1-0 loss at the hands of Championship outfit Bristol City, the Hammers will at least be excited by their reverse showdown against Sunday’s hosts. Claiming an eye-catching 2-0 victory when they welcomed Manchester United to the London Stadium back on December 23rd, West Ham will be looking to spring another upset and shore up their spot in the top-six chase when they travel to Manchester this weekend.

Team News

In what is a major blow, West Ham are still once again without the services of Brazil international Lucas Paqueta. Likewise, while Michail Antonio might be inching towards a first-team return following a long-term hamstring injury, the one-time Nottingham Forest star is not expected to be part of Moyes’ travelling squad.

Although Jarrod Bowen might have failed to find the net in any of his previous four Premier League appearances, the ex-Hull starlet will spearhead the Hammers’ charge here. Morocco international Nayef Aguerd could make a first domestic appearance since December 17th.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester United and West Ham met for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 23rd, the Hammers picked up a 2-0 victory on home soil.
• However, West Ham have not collected a single Premier League victory at Old Trafford since May 2007.
• Manchester United have recorded just a single clean sheet from their last seven appearances across all competitions.
• West Ham have failed to win any of their previous five domestic appearances across all fronts.
• Danish international Rasmus Hojlund has found the net in all of his last three domestic showdowns.

Conclusion

Eventually snatching what was a stunning 4-3 victory away at Wolves earlier in the week, Manchester United will be desperate to use that last-gasp winner as a platform to build on. Finding a recent clinical edge in the final third, ten Hag’s side will know the importance of claiming consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since the end of November. Although the Red Devils might have slumped to a 2-0 loss when they travelled to east London back on December 23rd, we are expecting a home victory here.

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 7/11

Bookmaker: Luckster