Two sides enduring contrasting seasons meet at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, as Manchester United host West Ham United in a Premier League clash that holds significant implications for both clubs. While the Red Devils have secured a place in the Europa League final and a potential route back into the Champions League, the Hammers are simply aiming to salvage some pride from a torrid domestic campaign.
Manchester United enter the fixture fresh off the back of a commanding 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final, completing a comprehensive 7-1 aggregate win to set up a showdown with Tottenham Hotspur in the final. With the Europa League now their only realistic path back into Europe’s elite competition, United will aim to carry some of that midweek momentum back into the Premier League, where they have been woefully out of form.
A six-game winless run in the top flight has left Ruben Amorim’s men languishing in 15th place, having accumulated just two points from their last six matches. Last weekend’s 4-3 defeat to Brentford encapsulated United’s domestic struggles—defensive lapses, a lack of cohesion, and a continued inability to see out matches.
Nevertheless, there were some positives to take from the Europa League triumph, particularly the form of Mason Mount. The former Chelsea midfielder, who is looking to make his mark at Old Trafford, has now scored three goals in his last two appearances, including a well-taken brace against Bilbao. With just three league games remaining, Mount’s resurgence could be crucial as United attempt to secure safety and avoid a first bottom-half finish since 1989-90.
Meanwhile, for West Ham United, the 2024-25 campaign has been a humbling reality check. Having won the Europa Conference League in 2023, the Hammers now find themselves mired in a winless run stretching to eight Premier League games, a sequence that has left them on the brink of their worst league finish since 2010-11, when they finished 20th and were relegated.
Despite the alarming drop-off, Graham Potter’s men are effectively safe, sitting 15 points above the relegation zone with just nine points left to play for. However, there has been little to celebrate in East London, with West Ham’s last league win coming back in early March. Last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur provided some encouragement, with Jarrod Bowen netting his 10th goal of the season, further staking his claim for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, a trip to Old Trafford has proven a daunting prospect for the Hammers, who have lost each of their last four visits across all competitions, with their most recent success at the venue coming back in September 2021, when a Manuel Lanzini strike secured a 1-0 victory in the EFL Cup. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Manchester United continue to grapple with a growing injury list as they prepare to face West Ham United. Joshua Zirkzee has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury, a significant blow to United’s attacking options.
Additionally, the defensive ranks have been further weakened by the absence of Lisandro Martinez, who remains sidelined with a knee injury, and Diogo Dalot, who is recovering from a calf problem. The defensive absences are compounded by fitness concerns over youngsters Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer, both of whom are unlikely to feature this weekend.
Despite the injury setbacks, head coach Ruben Amorim is expected to stick with the 3-4-3 formation that brought success in the Europa League semi-final win over Athletic Bilbao, with Victor Lindelöf and Yoro continuing in the backline alongside the versatile Tyler Fredricson.
Manchester United’s probable lineup in the 3-4-3 formation. In goal, André Onana will continue as the first-choice goalkeeper, aiming to provide stability and leadership from the back. The defensive trio will consist of Fredricson on the right, Victor Lindelöf centrally, and Leny Yoro on the left, forming a makeshift back three in the absence of Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot.
The wing-back roles will see Noussair Mazraoui operating on the right, with Luke Shaw providing width and defensive cover on the left. In central midfield, Manuel Ugarte will partner with Christian Eriksen, combining Ugarte’s ball-winning abilities with Eriksen’s passing range and vision.
In the attacking trident, Alejandro Garnacho will start on the left wing, while Bruno Fernandes takes up a more advanced role on the right, drifting inside to link up play. Leading the line will be Rasmus Højlund, who will look to capitalise on his aerial prowess and hold-up play to bring others into the game.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Onana; Fredricson, Lindelof, Yoro; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Eriksen, Shaw; Garnacho, Hojlund, Fernandes
West Ham United travel to Old Trafford with a depleted attacking line, as Michail Antonio remains sidelined after being involved in a car accident in December. The striker has not featured since then, depriving the Hammers of a physical presence up front.
Additionally, summer signing Crysencio Summerville has endured a frustrating debut season in London, with a hamstring injury sustained in January ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign. The winger was expected to provide pace and directness in the final third but has been unable to make a significant impact.
Despite the injury setbacks, Graham Potter is expected to stick with his preferred 3-4-3 formation, aiming to maintain defensive solidity while utilising the creativity of Lucas Paquetá and the attacking thrust of Jarrod Bowen.
West Ham United’s probable lineup in the 3-4-3 formation. In goal, Alphonse Areola will continue as the first-choice shot-stopper, tasked with organising the defence and providing a calming presence. The three-man defensive line is expected to consist of Jean-Clair Todibo on the right, Max Kilman centrally, and Konstantinos Mavropanos on the left, forming a robust and physical backline.
In midfield, the wing-back roles will be occupied by Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right and Oliver Scarles on the left, with both players providing width and defensive cover. The central midfield duo will feature Lucas Paquetá and Tomáš Souček, combining technical skill and physicality to control the centre of the park.
The attacking trident will include Mohammed Kudus on the right wing, Jarrod Bowen on the left, and Niclas Füllkrug as the central striker. Bowen, who netted his 10th Premier League goal of the season against Tottenham, will be the primary attacking threat, while Füllkrug’s aerial presence and hold-up play will be crucial in bringing others into the attack.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Areola; Todibo, Kilman, Mavropanos; Wan-Bissaka, Paqueta, Soucek, Scarles; Kudus, Bowen, Fullkrug
Amidst a difficult campaign for West Ham United, Jarrod Bowen has emerged as the Hammers’ most consistent attacking threat. The versatile forward has carried the burden of goalscoring in a side struggling for form, netting 10 Premier League goals this season, including a crucial strike in the recent 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Bowen’s ability to operate both centrally and on the flanks has made him a key asset under Graham Potter, and with Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville sidelined, he remains West Ham’s primary source of creativity and attacking impetus. His movement off the ball and knack for finding space in the box have allowed him to thrive even in a team lacking attacking cohesion.
Moreover, Bowen’s work rate and pressing ability could be vital against a Manchester United defence that has been vulnerable to high-intensity pressure in recent weeks. With United enduring a six-game winless run in the league, Bowen’s ability to capitalise on defensive lapses could prove decisive.
Additionally, the 28-year-old is making a compelling case for inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and a standout performance at Old Trafford would further strengthen his case. Whether it’s cutting inside from the right or making late runs into the box, Jarrod Bowen’s impact will be crucial as West Ham seek a first league double over United since the 2006-07 season.
Manchester United may be in dire domestic form, but their Europa League triumph could provide the perfect springboard to reignite their Premier League campaign. With Mason Mount rediscovering his scoring touch and West Ham struggling to generate momentum, the Red Devils should have enough to edge this encounter.
