Manchester United Match Preview

Both Wolverhampton Wanderers and then newly-promoted club Luton Town were the unlucky sides to lose twice to West Ham United last season. One year on and the Hammers are yet to complete a double. Having said that, they can equal that record this campaign, starting with victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford this afternoon.

West Ham’s 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture finally brought an end to Erik ten Hag’s tenure in Manchester and less than three months later, the hierarchy in Stratford followed suit and dispensed with the services of Julen Lopetegui.

Both clubs may have changed the Head-Coach but let me tell you, it is still taking time for levels of consistency to be found.

The Irons have already shown that they are capable of pulling off results against clubs that are pushing for trophies this season, as both Lopetegui and Graham Potter have triumphed at Newcastle United and Arsenal respectively. The travelling support would have no reason not to believe that they can’t do the same here.

Just like the record that the former Swansea City and Chelsea Head-Coach has at The Emirates Stadium, Potter is unbeaten in his last three encounters against this afternoon’s opponents and he will be hoping to extend that record and finally clinch a fourth success since taking charge in East London and a first since February 27.

The visitors may fancy their chances here, knowing that the home side haven’t had the best of seasons either but when Ruben Amorim’s appointment was finally confirmed back in November, it was hoped amongst the fanbase that there would be a return to the glory days. However, the downward spiral has continued under the Portuguese and should Potter be able to build on his good record today, then the East Londoners would move above their opponents in the Premier League table. Having said that though, the Hammers haven’t won a league match here since the infamous 2006/7 campaign and we all know what that meant for the club!!!

With Amorim’s side booking their place in the UEFA Europa League final on Thursday night, the visitors will hope to do what they failed to do against Tottenham Hotspur a week ago and take advantage of the fact that they may just have their minds on that “big occasion.

James Ward-Prowse is hoping to be restored to the starting line-up if Potter decides to make changes. Vladimír Coufal and Carlos Soler are also in contention, after coming off the bench last time out. It remains to be seen whether Edson Álvarez is fit enough to be included having had another week to recover from his recent back injury, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to retain his place and make a return to his former club since leaving Old Trafford in the summer.

The match kicks off at the unusual time of 2:15 pm and the referee is Jarred Gillett.