Manchester United will host West Ham United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, hoping to turn thier miserable domestic fortunes around.
Fresh from sealing a place in the Europa League final on Thursday night, the Red Devils turn their focus back to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, West Ham have had a full week to prepare following last weekend’s home clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
United fans haven’t had much to cheer about this season, but they’ll purchase Manchester United tickets on Seatsnet.com to cheer the Red Devils this weekend.
With both sides keen to finish the season on a high, fans could be treated to an exciting encounter at the Theatre of Dreams.
Match Preview
United stormed into the Europa League final with a commanding 4-1 victory over Athletic Club at Old Trafford, sealing a 7-1 aggregate win.
After running riot in the first-leg performance at San Mames, Ruben Amorim’s side returned to the Theatre of Dreams to complete the job in style, booking their spot in what will be their ninth European final.
Athletic offered little resistance in the second leg as United’s attack overwhelmed the Basque visitors.
The result sets up an all-English showdown with Tottenham Hotspur in just under two weeks, with the Europa League title – and a valuable Champions League place – on the line.
For both clubs, success in Europe offers a silver lining to their dismal domestic campaigns.
United have struggled to bring their European form into the Premier League.
Winless in their last six top-flight games (D2, L4), the Red Devils sit 15th in the table, collecting just two points from a possible 18.
Their latest disappointment came in a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Brentford last Sunday, with Thomas Frank’s side claiming victory in a chaotic affair at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Now preparing to host West Ham this weekend, United are still short of the 40-point safety mark with only three league fixtures remaining.
Just two years ago, West Ham were crowned Europa Conference League champions. Now, they’re staring down the barrel of their worst Premier League finish in over a decade.
Since parting ways with former manager David Moyes, the Hammers have slumped dramatically, and Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford comes with the East London side lingering dangerously low in the standings.
Currently 15 points clear of 18th-placed Ipswich Town with three matches remaining, West Ham owe their top-flight survival more to the poor form of the newly-promoted sides than to their own performances.
Potter’s men have now gone eight Premier League games without a win, though last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham offered a rare moment of encouragement.
Spurs took the lead early through Wilson Odobert but it didn’t last long as Jarrod Bowen pulled West Ham back with his 10th Premier League goal of the season.
That draw against Spurs may have lifted the mood a bit, but there will be little optimism ahead of the game against United, given their record at Old Trafford.
The Hammers have lost on each of their last four visits to Old Trafford, with their last win there coming back in September 2021 in the EFL Cup, thanks to a goal from Manuel Lanzini.
Unless they can end that barren run, West Ham risk closing out a deeply disappointing season on a sour note – one that may lead to serious questions about the direction of the club in the post-Moyes era.
With just three games left, the Hammers must find a spark to avoid finishing in their lowest league position since their relegation in 2011.
Key Stats
West Ham head to Old Trafford with hopes of making history, as they look to complete their first league double over United since 2006/07.
United boast a dominant record against West Ham on home turf but the current status of both teams suggest this could be a much closer contest than in previous years.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last 16 Premier League home games against West Ham (W13, D3) and have won each of their last four without conceding a goal.
However, Amorim’s side are currently in crisis mode.
They have failed to win any of their last six league matches (D2, L4) their worst run since 1992.
With 16 league defeats already this season, United have matched their total from the 1989/90 campaign when they finished 13th, and are approaching the 20 losses that saw them relegated in 1973/74.
Meanwhile, West Ham’s own form has dipped dramatically.
The East Londoners are without a win in their last eight Premier League matches (D4, L4) and only relegated trio Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton have earned fewer points in that time.
However, they’ve won three of their last four league meetings against United – more than they managed in the previous 28 combined.
Potter also has a decent personal record against United.
After losing his first five league games against the Red Devils, he is unbeaten in his last three (W2, D1), including a memorable 2-1 victory at Old Trafford with Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2022.
Both sides will be keen to halt their respective slumps on Sunday.
However, West Ham fans would argue they need the three points more than their Manchester counterparts, who are gearing up for a European final.
Team News
United will be without Joshua Zirkzee, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring issue.
The Dutchman is joined by Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot in the infirmary, along with highly rated youngsters Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer.
West Ham also have injury woes of their own. Michail Antonio is out, and the same can be said for Crysencio Summerville, who has failed to hit the ground running in his debut top-flight campaign.
Manchester United potential starting line-up:
(3-4-2-1): Andre Onana; Tyler Fredricson, Victor Lindelof, Leny Yoro; Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Christian Eriksen, Luke Shaw; Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes.
West Ham United potential starting line-up:
(3-4-2-1): Alphonse Areola; Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman, Konstantinos Mavropanos; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek, Oliver Scarles; Muhammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen; Niclas Fullkrug.
