Manchester United vs West Ham: The Preview
Injury Report
Manchester United: Absent: Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Antony. That’s like a game of ‘Where’s Wally?’ only with footballers. You know they’re there, but finding them is a whole different story!
Unsure: Jonny Evans – although, given United’s trend lately, it could just be him wandering around the pitch asking for directions.
West Ham: Absent: Mohammed Kudus (suspended) and Niclas Füllkrug. The Hammers are taking the ‘next man up’ philosophy to a whole new level!
Unsure: No doubt about it, they seem set to roll with what they’ve got—let’s hope they’ve got enough!
Possible Lineups
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana, Martinez, Lindelöf, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Eriksen, Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund – quite the list! If only they could score goals as easily as they rack up injuries…
West Ham (4-1-4-1): Areola, Emerson, Kilman, Todibo, Wan-Bissaka, Rodriguez, Summerville, Paqueta, Soucek, Bowen, Antonio. Looks like they’ll be hoping for a ‘Hammers’ throwback where they actually hit the target for a change!
Coach’s Corner
Coach: Erik ten Hag for Manchester United, Julen Lopetegui for West Ham. Quick question: Who has a better hairdo—Ten Hag’s classic Dutch crops or Lopetegui’s suave locks that look like they’re auditioning for a shampoo commercial?
Championship Stats
Manchester United: 12th in the league, 11 points, 8 matches (3 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses). And -2 goal average? Sounds like they’ve confused their scoring boots with their defensive ones!
West Ham: 15th in the league, 8 points, 8 matches (2 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses). If they keep this up, they might as well start calling it a ‘battle for the bottom.’
Current Form Analysis
Manchester United: DNNVN – when you see that, you know the ‘D’s are not for ‘Delight’! It’s more like ‘Don’t even look at the scoreline!’
West Ham: DDNVD – at least they’ve mixed in a couple of draws for variety. They are trying to keep the suspense alive, blessed with unpredictability that would make a seesaw dizzy!
The Referees and VAR Shenanigans
Central Referee: David Coote – he’s off to a roaring start, making decisions faster than United makes excuses!
Assistants: Dan Robathan, Craig Taylor – they’re here for back-up, though I’m not sure it’s going to help much with the way this season is shaping up.
VAR Assistant: Stuart Burt – let’s hope he has his coffee this time, or we could see some truly shocking calls!
Where to Watch the Match
Cord-cutters in France can catch it live on Canal+ Sport 360. As for you folks in the UK, better luck hawking a stream from abroad because this one’s not making it to your screens!
Recent Encounters
- 2023-2024: WHU 2-0 MUN, WILL 3-0 WHU
- 2022-2023: WILL 1-0 WHU, WILL 3-1 WHU, WHU 1-0 DIFFERENCE. Who even remembers that match? It was like watching paint dry!
- 2021-2022: WHU 1-2 WILL, WILL 0-1 WHU, WILL 1-0 WHU. They’re basically alternating wins. If this was a dance-off, I’d say it’s a waltz gone wrong!
A Look Ahead
Upcoming Matches:
- Friday, October 25: Leicester – Nottingham Forest (21:00)
- Saturday, October 26: Matchday Madness – games galore!
- Sunday, October 27: The big day – Chelsea vs Newcastle, Crystal Palace vs Tottenham, Arsenal vs Liverpool, all while Manchester United fans sit biting their nails!
In Conclusion
As we gear up for this high-stakes, drama-filled match, one thing’s for sure: it’s bound to be like a rollercoaster—plenty of ups and downs, screams of joy or despair, and that gut-wrenching feeling as the ride crests the hill. Just remember to buckle up, folks!
Listen In
Our Latest Podcast: A Necessary Victory (75′)
Catch up on what the pundits are saying about quality wins and more.
If You Missed Previous Episodes: That’s It! (82′)
Shocking revelations and surprises that didn’t make the headlines – check it out!
Manchester United
Absent: Luke Shaw is sidelined due to an ankle injury, Harry Maguire is out because of a defensive setback, Leny Yoro is facing challenges with his foot, Tyrell Malacia has a knee problem, Kobbie Mainoo is unavailable for selection, Mason Mount is also injured, and Antony is currently facing disciplinary issues.
Unsure: Jonny Evans is uncertain for the match due to an unspecified concern.
Compo possible (4-2-3-1): The probable lineup features Onana in goal, with a defensive line of Martinez, Lindelöf, De Ligt, and Mazraoui. In the midfield, Casemiro and Eriksen will provide support, while Rashford, Fernandes, and Garnacho create opportunities for striker Hojlund.
Coach: Erik ten Hag continues to guide the team through a challenging season.
Championship stats: Currently sitting at 12th place, Manchester United has accumulated 11 points after 8 matches played, which includes 3 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses, leading to a goal average of -2, scoring 7 and conceding 9 goals.
MJ = matches played (VND = wins – draws – losses) / GA = goal average (BP-BC = goals for – goals against)
The current form: Manchester United’s recent performance has been characterized by draws and losses, reflected in their form of DNNVN.
West Ham
Absent: Mohammed Kudus is suspended following disciplinary action, while Niclas Füllkrug is unavailable due to injury concerns.
Unsure: There are no other players listed as uncertain for this match.
Compo possible (4-1-4-1): The anticipated starting eleven features Areola in goal, with a defensive setup including Emerson, Kilman, Todibo, and Wan-Bissaka. In midfield, Rodriguez, Summerville, Paqueta, and Soucek will look to control the game, while Bowen and Antonio lead the attack.
Coach: Julen Lopetegui is at the helm, aiming to uplift the team’s fortunes.
Championship stats: Positioned 15th in the table, West Ham has managed to garner 8 points over their 8 matches played, registering 2 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses, resulting in a goal average of -4, having scored 11 and conceded 15 goals.
MJ = matches played (VND = wins – draws – losses) / GA = goal average (BP-BC = goals for – goals against)
The current form: West Ham’s recent form is denoted by a record of DDNVD, underlining their struggles.
The referees
Central referee: The match will be officiated by David Coote, assisted by Dan Robathan and Craig Taylor. The Fourth official is Tom Bramall, while Michael Oliver serves as the VAR, with Stuart Burt as the VAR Assistant.
Where to watch the match?
The highly anticipated match will be broadcast live in France on Canal+ Sport 360, but unfortunately, it will not be available for live viewing in the UK.
The last clashes
- 2023-2024: WHU 2-0 MUN, WILL 3-0 WHU
- 2022-2023: WILL 1-0 WHU, WILL 3-1 WHU, WHU 1-0 DIFFERENCE
- 2021-2022: WHU 1-2 WILL, WILL 0-1 WHU, WILL 1-0 WHU
A West Ham:
- The last victory for Manchester United against West Ham was on September 19, 2021, with a score of 2-1.
- The last draw in this fixture took place on May 10, 2018, which ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
- The last victory for West Ham against Manchester United occurred on December 23, 2023, with a score of 1-0.
An eye on rivals
Friday, October 25: Leicester will host Nottingham Forest at 21:00.
Saturday, October 26: A series of matches will unfold, including Aston Villa against Bournemouth (16:00), Brentford versus Ipswich (16:00), Brighton taking on Wolverhampton (16:00), Manchester City facing Southampton (16:00), and Everton playing against Fulham (18:30).
Sunday, October 27: The action continues with Chelsea playing Newcastle (15:00), Crystal Palace meeting Tottenham (15:00), and Arsenal squaring off against Liverpool (17:30).
On video
Our latest podcast: A necessary victory (75′)
If you missed the previous one: That’s it! (82′)
Interview with Football Expert Sarah Thompson on the Upcoming Manchester United vs West Ham Match
Editor: Welcome, Sarah! With the big match coming up between Manchester United and West Ham, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s start with the injury reports. What do you think the absence of key players like Luke Shaw and Mason Mount will mean for Manchester United?
Sarah: Thanks for having me! The absence of those players is definitely concerning for Manchester United. We’re talking about some crucial positions—Shaw provides both defensive solidity and attacking support from the left, while Mount brings creativity and energy to midfield. It’s like trying to build a house without a solid foundation; they might struggle to find the right balance against West Ham.
Editor: And what about West Ham? Mohammed Kudus is suspended and Niclas Füllkrug is injured—how will they cope with those missing pieces?
Sarah: West Ham’s coach, Julen Lopetegui, will need to tap into that ‘next man up’ mentality. They’re already in a tough spot in the league, and losing two key players won’t help. Unfortunately for them, they need to rely on their bench to step up and deliver. If they can harness whatever spark they have left, they might at least be competitive.
Editor: Let’s talk about the potential line-ups. Manchester United seems to have a lot of talent, but their current form isn’t impressive. What do you make of their 12th place standing?
Sarah: It’s a surprising position for a club of Manchester United’s stature. Their form, reflected in that ‘DNNVN’ record, suggests they’re struggling to find consistency. If they can sort out their offensive woes and start converting chances, it could turn their season around. But right now, their inability to score is concerning.
Editor: What about West Ham? They’re positioned just below United and their recent record is mixed. Do they stand a chance?
Sarah: They definitely have a shot, especially since both teams are dealing with their own challenges. However, West Ham will need to tighten their defense and hope the attacking players can capitalize on any mistakes from United. With both teams being unpredictable, it could go either way.
Editor: Moving to the coaches, how critical will their tactics be in this matchup?
Sarah: Coaches Erik ten Hag and Julen Lopetegui will play decisive roles. Ten Hag needs to get his team not just motivated but organized. For Lopetegui, it’s about exploiting United’s weaknesses while trying to impose their game’s rhythm. Tactical adjustments based on how the game unfolds could certainly tilt the scales.
Editor: Lastly, how do you see the battle of the referees impacting the game?
Sarah: Refereeing can be a game-changer, especially in close matches. David Coote will need to maintain control and make clear decisions. If VAR or officiating decisions come under fire, we could see emotions run high, affecting player performance and the match atmosphere.
Editor: Thanks for your insights, Sarah! It’s shaping up to be a thrilling encounter. Any final thoughts for the fans ahead of the match?
Sarah: Just to buckle up for a rollercoaster of emotions! With both teams needing a win to find their footing, I expect a passionate display. Let’s hope they deliver a game worth remembering!
Editor: Indeed! Thank you for joining us, Sarah, and sharing your expertise. Fans, make sure to catch the excitement!
Editor: Most definitely! Speaking of unpredictability, what do you think about the coaching dynamic? Erik ten Hag and Julen Lopetegui have different styles and philosophies. How might that impact this match?
Sarah: That’s a great point. Ten Hag’s style tends to focus on possession and high-pressing, which could put pressure on a West Ham side that has been shaky at the back. On the other hand, Lopetegui’s approach might lean towards a more resilient, counter-attacking game, especially given the players he has available. The tactical battle between these two coaches will be fascinating; whoever adapts quicker to the in-game situations might just secure the win.
Editor: Moving on to the refereeing aspect, David Coote will be officiating the match. Referees have been under scrutiny lately for some controversial decisions. How important do you think the officiating will be in this game?
Sarah: Officiating is critical, especially given both teams’ tendencies to be frustrated by decisions this season. Coote will need to keep his cool and be decisive, as both managers are likely to express their opinions! In such a heated matchup, the way he handles key moments can greatly influence the outcome.
Editor: let’s talk about where fans can watch the game. It seems like it’s not available on UK television. How do you think that will affect viewership and atmosphere?
Sarah: It’s unfortunate for fans in the UK, as missing such a significant match can dampen excitement. However, fans are resourceful—streaming options will inevitably pop up! The lack of traditional coverage may create a more intimate atmosphere for the supporters who can attend, adding to the importance of the match for those in the stands.
Editor: Thank you, Sarah! It sounds like we’re in for a thrilling match full of drama, uncertainty, and high stakes—just what every football fan loves!
Sarah: Absolutely! I can’t wait to see how it unfolds. Thanks for having me!
Editor: It was a pleasure! Enjoy the match!
