Manchester United face West Ham at Old Trafford in a huge Premier League clash in the race for an European spot.
Victory would see Man Utd leapfrog West Ham into sixth, whilst David Moyes’ Hammers can stay sixth with a win.
Team News
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a doubt for Man Utd with a knock which forced him to miss their midweek win at Wolves.
Sofyan Amrabat (international duty), Lisandro Martinez (foot) and Victor Lindelof (knock) could feature, but Tyrell Malacia (knee), Mason Mount (calf) and Anthony Martial (groin) remain sidelined.
West Ham welcome Vladimir Coufal back from his one-match ban which saw him miss their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth in midweek.
Nayef Aguerd (international duty) could return but Michail Antonio (knee) and Lucas Paqueta (calf) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Man Utd entertain West Ham at Old Trafford in a 2pm GMT kick-off on Sunday 4 February, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd are unbeaten in six of their last eight league meetings against West Ham (W5, D1, L2).
- West Ham have claimed one point from their last five league visits to Man Utd (D1, L4).
- Man Utd have won each of their last three home games against West Ham in the Premier League by a 1-0 result.
- Marcus Rashford has scored in each of Man Utd’s last three league games (W1, D1, L1).
- James Ward-Prowse’s last two goals for West Ham have come from the penalty spot.
Prediction
Amidst an excellent attacking performance at Wolves, there is no getting away from how Utd again let a 2-0 lead slip despite Kobbie Mainoo’s last-gasp winner after Wolves made it 3-3, because if they keep switching off when in the lead then they will come embarrassingly unstuck one day.
Whether it’s a mentality issue or just sloppy play, Erik ten Hag needs to find a way to get his team more resilient at the back because the battle for an European spot could end up boiling down to goal difference if not careful.
West Ham meanwhile have to show more intensity and quality because despite holding Bournemouth to a 1-1 draw with some excellent goalkeeping, they were lucky that VAR handed them a penalty from which they equalised amidst a sluggish overall performance.
This clash also has the added tension of a Europa League spot riding on it given that West Ham currently has that position, and I can’t see them willingly conceding that position here without a fight but Utd’s improved attacking edge might just be the difference.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 West Ham
Result: Manchester United 3-0 West Ham
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