Arguably the two most under-pressure head coaches in the Premier League go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon, when Julen Lopetegui‘s West Ham United host Erik ten Hag‘s Manchester United at the London Stadium.
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While the Irons were humiliated 4-1 by London rivals Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, the Red Devils earned a relief-inducing 2-1 win over Brentford before escaping Fenerbahce with a 1-1 draw in the Europa League.
Manchester United’s two most successful head coaches of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era collided on Thursday evening, where Ten Hag managed to keep his head as Jose Mourinho lost his in a frenetic Europa League draw, one which saw Christian Eriksen and Youssef En-Nesyri find the mark.
Even the most ardent Man United fan will accept that they were fortunate to leave with a share of the spoils, though, as Andre Onana had to be called upon on several occasions to repel the Turkish giants, whose volatile manager was sent to the stands after his side were denied a second-half spot kick.
A few days before Mourinho’s Europa League outburst, Man United staff went into meltdown mode when Ethan Pinnock headed Brentford into the lead at Old Trafford – a bloodied Matthijs de Ligt was off the pitch receiving treatment at the time – but Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund completed a critical turnaround for Ten Hag.
That come-from-behind success is the only victory Man United have to shout about in their last seven matches, though, and the Premier League table still makes for grim reading for Sunday’s visitors, who reside in a mediocre 12th spot and are six points off the top four.
However, the away statistics make for relatively pleasant viewing for Man United, who are now unbeaten in five on the road – albeit while drawing each of their last four – and keeping three straight Premier League clean sheets away from home against Southampton, Aston Villa, and Crystal Palace.
Defensive Struggles for West Ham
As Man United go in search of four straight Premier League away clean sheets for the first time since July 2020, West Ham bid to end a seven-match run without a shut-out in any competition after last weekend’s North London nightmare.
Things were momentarily looking up for Julen Lopetegui when Mohammed Kudus broke the deadlock, but the Ghanaian’s dream start preceded a dirty finale in which he was rightfully sent off for lashing out at more than one Tottenham player, after Spurs had struck four goals of their own.
Lopetegui’s side were given a taste of their 4-1 medicine after thumping Ipswich Town by the same scoreline at the beginning of the month, but last weekend’s painful setback leaves them in a lowly 15th place.
Victory by any margin would take them above Man United on goal difference.
While the Irons’ attacking record trumps that of their visitors (11 goals to seven), West Ham are on an abysmal run of 13 home games without a Premier League clean sheet since January’s goalless draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, West Ham’s last PL home match of 2023 ended in a 2-0 triumph over Man United under the wing of David Moyes – their second straight home success over the Red Devils – but revenge was Ten Hag’s when Sunday’s visitors prevailed 3-0 at Old Trafford in early February.
Team News and Lineups
Absent from the draw with Fenerbahce due to a Europa League suspension, Man United skipper Bruno Fernandes is now fit and raring to go again after witnessing one of the most unlikely candidates start in his place against Mourinho’s side.
Noussair Mazraoui was a shock selection in the number 10 role in midweek but should now revert to defensive duties. Ten Hag is also keeping his fingers crossed that Jonny Evans will be able to return from a knock, but Antony is a fresh doubt with an issue sustained on Thursday.
Kobbie Mainoo (thigh), Leny Yoro (ankle), Harry Maguire (calf), Luke Shaw (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Mason Mount (knock) are all expected to miss out for the visitors, whose returning captain Fernandes has never scored against West Ham in 12 previous attempts.
As Man United welcome a key attacking cog back from a ban, West Ham’s Kudus starts a three-game suspension for his violent outburst at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which also rules him out of matches against Nottingham Forest and Everton next month.
As unpredictable and exciting as Kudus can be in the final third, it is not all doom and gloom for Lopetegui; West Ham have played five Premier League matches without the ex-Ajax man since he arrived and are unbeaten in all of them.
In terms of like-for-like swaps, Crysencio Summerville is the most obvious candidate to deputise for Kudus, and the hosts’ only injury-related absentee should be summer signing Niclas Fullkrug and his sore calf.
Other changes may be afoot after last weekend’s horror show, with Edson Alvarez surely in contention to replace Guido Rodriguez in the deepest midfield position.
Possible Starting Lineups
West Ham United possible starting lineup: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Soucek, Summerville; Antonio
Manchester United possible starting lineup: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Evans, Martinez; Eriksen, Casemiro; Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
The loss of Kudus ought to hit West Ham hard, even if the Irons do boast a surprisingly good record without him. Irons fans are still wondering what their true identity and style of play under Lopetegui is.
As pitiful as Man United can also be, the Red Devils have developed a mean defensive streak on the road and can rely on individual talent at the other end to make the breakthrough.
The visitors should eke out another narrow success to keep Ten Hag kicking that bit longer.
