Manchester United vs West Ham – Match preview and team news

The Football Faithful

·11 May 2025

Manchester United vs West Ham – Match preview and team news

Manchester United entertain West Ham in their penultimate home match in the Premier League this season.

The Red Devils comfortably progressed into the Europa League final on Thursday night courtesy of a 7-1 aggregate win over Athletic Club.

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After netting his first goal in over a year last weekend, Mason Mount recorded a brace off the bench during midweek. The former Chelsea midfielder has earned a place in the starting berth alongside Amad, who has also been amongst the goals since returning from injury.

With several senior players, such as Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee still on the sidelines, Ruben Amorim may reward promising youngsters with some valuable minutes.

17-year-old Chido Obi-Martin made his first Premier League start against Brentford last weekend, while defenders Harry Amass and Tyler Fredrickson have also recently been involved.

Noussair Mazraoui and Harry Maguire’s minutes will be carefully managed in order to ensure their full fitness for the upcoming European final.

West Ham are looking to end an exhausting run of disappointment which has seen them fail to win any their last eight matches.

Graham Potter confirmed the return of Edson Alvarez in his pre-match press conference. The versatile Mexican international has been struggling with a back issue which has severely limited his minutes. Crysencio Summerville and Michail Antonio remain on the treatment table.

Manchester United vs West Ham – Match preview and team news

Form

Manchester United: LDWLW

United’s focus has solely been on the Europa League, which is reflected in their recent form. When you exclude their emphatic victories in the competition over both Athletic Club and Lyon, the Red Devils are winless in six league matches.

Last weekend Ruben Amorim’s outfit were on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller away to Brentford. Prior to that defeat they also lost to Newcastle, Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

However, if they can beat Tottenham Hotspur in the final, they will qualify for the Champions League as top seeds while finishing in the bottom half of the table.

Read – Every time English sides have met in a European final

West Ham: DLDLD

West Ham currently reside in 17th position, but can climb above Manchester United with a win this afternoon. However, victories have been hard to come by this campaign; they’ve only got nine in the Premier League all season.

Graham Potter hasn’t been able to impact the club’s fortunes, with several underwhelming performances coming under his reign.

Conceding late on has been a recurring theme in recent weeks with the Hammers shipping goals to Liverpool, Brighton and Southampton in the dying embers. In those games alone West Ham have dropped seven points from winning positions.

Only the three relegated sides have accumulated fewer points on their travels this season than the East Londoners.

Last Meeting: West Ham 2-1 Manchester United, Premier League, 27th October 2024

A controversial last-minute winner for West Ham spelled the end of Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United.

United flew out of the traps and came inches away from scoring within the opening two minutes. Marcus Rashford found Alejandro Garnacho in the middle, whose sweeping finish rattled the crossbar.

The Red Devils were infiltrating gaps in the West Ham defence, particularly in transition. Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes both spurned chances in quick succession, with the latter heading over despite having the freedom of the box.

But Diogo Dalot was the guiltiest man on the pitch as he produced one of the misses of the season. After beating the onrushing Lukasz Fabianski to the ball, the full-back somehow missed the open target from a few yards out.

Before the interval, Edson Alvarez’s blushes were spared by the woodwork as his defensive header almost beat his own goalkeeper.

West Ham were passive until the final quarter of an hour when they broke the deadlock in east London. Summer signing Crysencio Summerville helped in Danny Ings’ scuffed attempt to score his first goal for the Hammers.

It took just seven minutes for United to respond as Casemiro nodded in from close-range following a scramble inside the penalty box.

But there was to be late drama at the London Stadium, as in the second minute of stoppage-time, Ings fell to the floor inside the area. Despite Matthijs de Ligt making minimal contact with the striker, VAR adjudged the engagement was enough to overturn the on-field decision and award a penalty.

West Ham skipper Jarrod Bowen held his nerve to slot the spot-kick into the bottom corner and give his side all three points.

It was an unfortunate afternoon for Ten Hag, as missed chances and controversy resulted in him losing his job.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at Old Trafford will be at 14:15 BST on Sunday, 11th May 2025

Who is the referee?

Jarred Gillett will be the match official. Neil Davies and Derek Eaton will assist him while Adam Herczeg will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Andy Madley and he will be assisted by Craig Taylor.