West Ham United are preparing to welcome Manchester United to the London Stadium this Sunday, with both sides having endured tumultuous starts to the campaign.
After parting ways with honourable servant David Moyes last term, Julen Lopetegui took the reins in East London to lead the side into a new chapter for 2024/2025.
Things haven’t gone to plan for the Spaniard since his tenure officially got going, though – far from it, in fact. The Irons have claimed only two wins in the opening eight matches while drawing twice and losing four games. As a result, they sit 15th-placed in the table, and Loptegui is already under mounting pressure to oversee a drastic U-turn.
As is the case over at Old Trafford, where the Red Devils have only won one more match than West Ham. They will enter the clash in 12th, merely three points above Sunday’s hosts.
West Ham team news vs United
In terms of the options Lopetegui will have at his disposal for the 2pm kick-off, fans know for certain that they’ll be without talisman Mohammed Kudus. A heated London derby last week culminated with the Hammers being thrashed 4-1 by rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Only moments before full-time, the Ghanian lashed out and was brandished a straight red card, ruling him out of the subsequent three matches.
Summer recruit Niclas Fullkrug, who signed from Borussia Dortmund on a £27 million deal, has been absent for the last six matches in all competitions due to an injury in his calf and Achilles area sustained on international duty. Alessandro Del Piero previously hailed the frontman, claiming he was on ‘another level’”.
He has since flown to his native Germany to undergo further treatment, leaving Loptegui to rely on Michail Antonio or Danny Ings to lead the line.
Prior to the Spurs defeat, West Ham overturned Premier League newbies Ipswich Town 4-1. Their only other victory came away to Crystal Palace on August 24 in a 2-0 win.
