This Sunday, West Ham United will host Manchester United in the Premier League, with both teams coming into the game needing a win to spark some much-needed momentum.
- Date: 27/10/2024
- Kick-off time: 14:00
- Location: London Stadium, Stratford
After what was deemed an underwhelming campaign, West Ham decided in the summer to part ways with David Moyes in the summer, a man who had been instrumental in guiding the club to their highest achievement in recent memory: a European trophy. In Moyes’ place, West Ham appointed Julen Lopetegui, a seasoned manager with experience in both elite environments and the Premier League. The decision to bring in the Spaniard was questioned by some, with many believing he wasn't a clear upgrade on Moyes, and there was particular frustration at the fact Lopetegui was financially backed by a significant summer transfer window in the way Moyes never was.
However, the hoped-for transformation has yet to materialise, with Lopetegui’s tenure having been anything but smooth. Results have been thoroughly disappointing and performances even more so, with the team looking rudimentary out of possession and stale with the ball at their feet. In terms of the league table, eight points from eight matches puts West Ham five points clear of the relegation zone, but the idea that the Hammers' goal should be staying clear of the drop zone with the players they have at their disposal is not justifiable. The squad, on paper at least, looks like it has the quality to be pushing for a European place, yet their gameplay has been disjointed, and they have largely struggled to impose themselves.
For Lopetegui, this encounter with Manchester United comes at a critical juncture. His tactics and game model are increasingly under scrutiny, and there is a palpable sense among fans and pundits alike that if results don’t improve, his job may be on the line. The board backed him with resources, and the responsibility now falls squarely on him to begin delivering performances that reflect the investment made.
On the other side of the pitch, Manchester United come into the game in their own cloud of uncertainty, a situation that has started to feel almost perpetual for the 13-time Premier League winners. Despite flashes of quality under Erik ten Hag, the team’s form has been inconsistent, and the Reds find themselves sitting only slightly above West Ham in the league table, a far cry from the club’s historical standards. Having also accumulated only eight points, United’s season is teetering on the brink of being labelled as yet another year of missed expectations.
Ten Hag arrived at Manchester United with a mandate to bring and fresh ideas to propel the team forward, but the team has been unable to escape the shadow of mediocrity that has plagued them since the departure of Alex Ferguson over a decade ago. United’s play has oscillated between brief spells of coherence and prolonged periods of what can only be described as uninspired dross; the squad shows occasional glimpses of talent, but they are mostly overshadowed by sloppy, lethargic and subpar performances.
As fans and analysts take a critical view of United’s progress under Ten Hag, larger questions about the club’s direction and leadership come into focus. Many now question whether United’s hierarchy missed an opportunity in the summer to initiate changes that might have avoided this stagnation, rather than being so easily persuaded by the FA Cup final performance in spite of all the evidence that preceded it. This has only increased pressure on Ten Hag, who, like Lopetegui, finds himself in a position where the outcome of each game could potentially shape his future with the club.
Premier League 
