Manchester United and West Ham United come into this Premier League clash in completely different situations, but both are desperately seeking direction. United, under Rúben Amorim, have shown their comeback quality with three wins from five games and a late 2-1 away win at Crystal Palace, with Zirkzee and Mason Mount scoring after the break. On the other hand, West Ham, under Nuno Espírito Santo, are fighting relegation and now have to do without the suspended Lucas Paquetá, which costs them creativity and structure in midfield. It therefore looks like an evening in which United will want to make the most of their home advantage and strong second halves, while West Ham, despite defensive problems, will have to take every possible point through their offense and players like Freddie Potts.
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
- Date and time: 04.12.2025, 9:00 p.m.
- Competition: Premier League (Matchday 14)
The summary of the tips is: Manchester United will win, the odds are around 1.50, and United is the clear favorite. In addition, both teams will score: Yes, as both defenses are vulnerable, but the offense has quality. A third approach is Over 1.5 goals – 2nd half, based on United’s comeback mentality and their experience of applying pressure late in games. Tip 1, Manchester United to win, is supported by the fact that United are clearly on an upward trend under coach Amorim. In five games, he has secured three wins and recently demonstrated comeback qualities, for example in the turnaround against Crystal Palace with goals from Zirkzee and Mount after the break. West Ham are close to the relegation zone in 18th place, are traveling with a weakened squad, including the suspended Paquetá, and are coming off a recent defeat to Liverpool. Form curves and home advantage justify the odds. Tip 2, Both teams to score: Yes, supported by recent figures, as both teams have shown defensive weaknesses in their last five games, conceding goals in all games and scoring themselves in around 80% of their recent encounters. Offensive statistics such as Bruno Fernandes’ three assists in two games and West Ham’s streak of four goals scored underscore the likelihood that both teams will score. In the third tip, Over 1.5 goals – 2nd half, it is notable that 80% of United’s recent games have exceeded the 1.5 goal mark after the break; and in the match against Palace, both goals came in the second half. West Ham have won the second half several times recently, and the expected return of Matheus Cunha, as well as United’s strong effectiveness from set pieces, leading the league in goals per 100 set pieces, suggest continued pressure and more goals after the break. However, risks remain, such as last-minute absences, tactical adjustments, or an early clear lead that could slow down the pace of the game.
Manchester United Form & Record Check
Manchester United have shown a striking pattern of two faces under Rúben Amorim, with weak, low-scoring first halves and significantly stronger second halves. A prime example was the 2-1 away win at Crystal Palace, when Zirkzee and Mount scored after the break after United had been behind at halftime. The recent games against Everton (0-1 home defeat), Tottenham (2-2), Nottingham (2-2) and Palace again followed a similar pattern. Statistically, this pattern is clearly visible: in four of the last five games, there were few goals at half-time, with the decisive goals coming after the break, and 80% of these games ended with more than 2.5 goals. The most important momentum almost always came in the second half, which suggests Amorim’s adaptability at halftime. At the same time, the series shows a clear defensive weakness, with United conceding at least one goal in each of their last five games. Defense thus remains Amorim’s biggest problem area and one reason why they are only seventh in the table with 21 points, level on points with Liverpool and just one point behind Sunderland in sixth place. Progress is visible in attack, especially from set pieces and in the build-up play, with Bruno Fernandes directing the play, while Mason Mount and Zirkzee have recently returned to form and contributed important goals. As long as the team remains so strong in the second half, further comebacks and plenty of goals can be expected, but to climb the table, United need a more stable defensive performance in the long term to achieve consistency.
Coach Rúben Amorim is likely to stick with his 3-4-2-1 formation after the 2-1 win at Selhurst Park. Up front, Zirkzee and Mason Mount are likely to start as the attacking duo behind the lone striker; Matheus Cunha is back in training after his head injury, but is expected to start on the bench. De Ligt and Shaw seem to be set in the back three, while Mazraoui could move into defense for Yoro if Amorim wants to rest Yoro. Diallo and Dalot are likely to start on the wings in midfield, with the usual duo of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes expected in the center. In terms of absences, Sesko is still out with a knee injury and Maguire is unavailable due to thigh problems; Matheus Cunha is fit but is expected to start on the bench.
West Ham Form & Record Check
West Ham are deep in the relegation battle and currently occupy 17th place with 11 points. Under Nuno Espírito Santo, the record from eight league games is two wins, two draws, and four defeats, with the recent 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool further exacerbating the situation. Offensively, however, the team is showing signs of life, with West Ham scoring in four of their last five games and putting in strong performances at home in a 3-1 win over Newcastle and a 3-2 win over Burnley. However, the main problem remains the defense, with goals conceded in five consecutive competitive games, a goal difference of minus 12, and West Ham’s games often being high-scoring. Characteristically, all of their last five games have ended with more than 1.5 goals, four of them with more than 2.5 goals. Goals are also often scored at halftime, with more than 1.5 goals scored before the break in around 80% of recent games. West Ham engage in open duels, but lack defensive stability. In terms of personnel, Lucas Paquetá’s suspension after receiving a yellow-red card against Liverpool weighs heavily. He will miss the game against Manchester United, and his absence is a significant loss for creativity and structure in midfield. One ray of hope is 22-year-old Freddie Potts, as West Ham have not lost a league game in which he has been in the starting line-up; his strength in tackles and passing accuracy give the team noticeable stability and could become even more important in the relegation battle. Their form has been like a rollercoaster ride, with defeat, victory, victory, draw, and defeat again. Two important home wins were followed by a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth and a defeat against Liverpool, and the team still does not look stable overall. The away game at Manchester United will therefore be decisive. Without Paquetá, West Ham will lack creativity, but points are certainly possible against an opponent who is also struggling. Nottingham Forest, in 16th place, are only one point ahead, and a poor performance could mean immediate relegation. Tactically, it would make sense for West Ham to be more compact defensively, with tighter spacing between midfield and defense, situational double marking in the center, and a focus on quick transitions down the wings. Freddie Potts and other defensively strong players could provide more stability early on. If Nuno opts for a more cautious formation such as a 4-2-3-1 with two defensive midfielders, the chances of gaining a point increase. Overall, however, the team has offensive potential but remains vulnerable defensively, and the upcoming game will have a major impact on the mood and prospects in the relegation battle. A win would provide significant relief, while a defeat would further exacerbate the situation.
West Ham are expected to line up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Lucas Paquetá is definitely out after receiving a red card against Liverpool. Crysencio Summerville and Konstantinos Mavropanos are also unavailable due to injury. A possible starting lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation could look like this: Łukasz Fabiański in goal, Vladimir Coufal, Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd, and Arthur Masuaku in defense. Tomáš Souček and Declan Rice are likely to play in the double pivot. In the attacking trio, Jarrod Bowen on the right, Mohammed Kudus in the center or at number ten, and either Bowen, Álex Texeira, or Emerson Royal on the left, with the exact distribution of roles on the left and in the center still to be decided. Michail Antonio would start up front. Freddie Potts remains an important option and could return to the starting lineup after his strong performances, especially as West Ham have not lost a league game with him so far. Coach Nuno Espírito Santo must above all compensate for the role of Paquetá. Possible options include a more offensive central midfielder such as Mohammed Kudus in the number 10 position, a more creative approach on the wings with Bowen and a dynamic number 8, or additional reinforcement on the wings with left-footed substitutes. The 4-2-3-1 system is likely to remain in place, but Paquetá’s absence is the biggest tactical factor, and Potts could start again; the final personnel decisions will depend on whether Santo prioritizes central creativity or additional width on the wings.
Manchester United – West Ham Head-to-Head & Statistics
In the last five head-to-head matches, West Ham won three times and Manchester United twice, with no draws. All five games ended with a total of two to three goals. A clear pattern emerges, with the first half usually low on goals and the majority of goals coming in the second half. In the last three games, at least two goals were scored after the break. Looking at the home record and recent results, it is notable that United last won 2-1 in July 2025, but West Ham won 2-0 at Old Trafford in May 2025. Manchester United won 3-0 in 2024, but conceded goals in four of the last five matches. Overall, West Ham looks reliably dangerous in these direct duels and poses problems for United defensively, while United always remains dangerous offensively but rarely keeps a clean sheet. For the upcoming match, there are many indications that it will again be a game with around 2 to 3 goals, with a noticeable increase in chances as the game progresses and a possible decision in the second half. It should be noted that form curves, injuries, and lineups can change quickly, and the assessment is based solely on the most recent head-to-head matches.
