Manchester United vs West Ham United

Old Trafford forms the backdrop for a bottom-half Premier League showdown between Manchester United and West Ham United.

A come-from-behind 4-1 home win against Athletic Club saw Manchester United reach the Europa League final as 7-1 aggregate winners, offering the frustrated Old Trafford faithful a glimmer of light at the end of a long tunnel. That’s a chance to salvage a disastrous season as they brace for their worst finish in the Premier League era. Building momentum ahead of the Europa League final is Ruben Amorim’s only priority, yet ending the club’s second-longest winless run in league action since 1992 is equally important. The Red Devils have gone winless in their last six EPL matches (D2, L4), including a goal-glutted 4-3 defeat at Brentford a week ago. However, one win from their past five home league games (D3, L1) can hardly offer much confidence. 

In the meantime, West Ham may increase their chances of avoiding finishing as the lowest-ranked surviving club in the Premier League this season by defying their dreadful record at Old Trafford. The Hammers have failed to beat Man Utd in their last 16 league visits to this stadium (D3, L13), suggesting their hopes of returning to winning ways for the first time since February are thin. Against this backdrop, they have defeated United three times in their four most recent top-flight H2Hs (L1), including a 2-1 victory in October’s reverse fixture. However, manager Graham Potter is enduring his longest winless streak in the Premier League since 2011, with West Ham alternating between drawing (4) and losing (4) across their last eight league outings.