West Ham United head into their next fixture having won four of their last five Premier League games against Manchester United, a significant turnaround after they had lost just three of the previous 28 encounters. The Hammers completed a league double over the Red Devils last season and are now pursuing a third consecutive win against them for the first time since a run between 2006 and 2007.
The match at Old Trafford presents a unique historical opportunity for the visitors. West Ham’s 2-0 victory in this fixture last season ended a 16-game winless run at the venue in the Premier League. Should they triumph again, it would mark their first back-to-back league wins at Old Trafford since March 1934.
However, Manchester United boast a formidable midweek home record, remaining unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League games played on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, and winning the last eight in a row. Their last such defeat was a 4-2 loss to Liverpool in May 2021. In contrast, United’s form in December has been poor, with nine losses in their last 14 matches in the month, including the last three without scoring a goal.
West Ham have an impressive record on Thursdays, having lost just two of their 13 Premier League matches played on that day. Despite this, their recent away form has faltered, as they are currently winless in their last four league matches on the road.
Pressure is mounting on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who has already lost nine of his 19 Premier League matches at Old Trafford. A defeat in this game would see him become the fastest manager in the club’s history to lose 10 top-flight home games.
On an individual level, West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen will be a key threat, having scored in both league meetings with Manchester United last season. The last Hammers player to score in three consecutive league games against the club was Jermain Defoe between 2001 and 2002. Meanwhile, United captain Bruno Fernandes has yet to score against West Ham in 11 Premier League appearances, failing to find the net with any of his 27 shots against them.
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