Manchester United have had many memorable trips to East London over the years and often not for the right reasons. West Ham will be hoping to secure another famous victory and leave Erik ten Hag in serious trouble as his side struggles to build any momentum this season after that stunning FA Cup win at the end of last term. It says something that West Ham have won their last two home matches against this opposition and last produced this kind of a home run against United way back in the 1970s.
United’s 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce in the week means they have now gone a full year without winning in Europe, an astonishing fact given the talent at Ten Hag’s disposal. There were bright signs in the second half against Brentford at Old Trafford last weekend but the team reverted to the mean in Turkey and looked like what they are, a mid-table side both domestically and in the Europa League.
In even more troubling news for United supporters, the team have lost four of their eight visits to the London Stadium, a far worse record than they had at Upton Park in its dying days. Ten Hag will desperately hope that percentage of defeats does not creep above 50 percent or his days in charge at Old Trafford might be numbered.
United will welcome the return of Bruno Fernandes after his European suspension midweek. Antony was stretchered off in that game while Jonny Evans and Mason Mount remain doubts. Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw are likely to be sidelined and the United manager must be tempted to wonder exactly how many mirrors he broke. West Ham will be without the suspended Mohammed Kudus and Niclas Fullkrug, the summer signing who has endured a nightmare start to life in East London due to injury.
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West Ham vs Manchester United odds
Venue: London Stadium — London
Time: 2 p.m. GMT (10 a.m. ET), Sunday
Form guide (league only)
West Ham: 2-2-4, 8 points (15th); L-W-D-L-D
Manchester United: 3-2-3, 11 points (12th); W-D-L-D-W
Match prediction
West Ham 2-1 Manchester United
Neither side has started the season well and West Ham will be desperate to bounce back from a dismal performance at Tottenham last weekend with a solid display in front of their own fans. The United manager must surely be aware that the time for talk is over and even the silverware he has brought to Old Trafford will not be enough to save him unless results pick up soon. The Hammers have done major damage to United over the years and a win here could mean the writing is on the wall for Ten Hag.
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(Photo of Christian Eriksen: Yagiz Gurtug / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)
