West Ham don’t just face a reinvigorated Manchester United side at the London Stadium tomorrow — we also face a fanbase that’s suddenly found its voice again.
I must admit, I haven’t heard much from United supporters over the past few years as they licked their wounds following Fergie’s departure. Successive managers have largely blended into one long spell of underachievement. But now, with Michael Carrick stepping in after the sacking of Ruben Amorim, there’s been an immediate bounce — and online you’d think they’d just won the quadruple.
That said, West Ham haven’t been too shabby ourselves. Carrick returns to his former club to face a Hammers side full of belief after four wins in five games. And under Nuno Espírito Santo, there’s finally a bit of grit about us again.
Carrick’s comeback and United’s revival
Carrick needs no introduction to us Hammers fans having come through the academy and he’s made a fast impression in his caretaker spell.
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Four straight league wins have dragged the Red Devils up to fourth, including eye-catching victories over City and Arsenal. Their latest was a 2–0 home win against Spurs, helped by a red card, with Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes on the scoresheet.
Fernandes is pulling strings everywhere right now — 10 goal involvements in his last eight away games — while Matheus Cunha grabbed a dramatic winner at Arsenal. Interestingly, Cunha has never scored against West Ham but is a former favourite of Espirito Santo.
United’s away form is strong (just one defeat in nine), but midweek trips haven’t been kind to them lately — only one win in their last nine Premier League games played on the road during the week.
Bowen always fancies it against United
One man Carrick will be wary of is Jarrod Bowen.
Bowen has scored three times in his last five Premier League meetings with United, and no West Ham player has managed more against them in the competition’s history. If we’re going to hurt them, chances are Bowen will be involved.
Yes, our home form has been crap for a while — just four wins from the last 20 league games at the London Stadium — but recent performances suggest a corner might finally be turning. Three wins from the last four, including that huge 2–0 away at Burnley, have dragged us to within touching distance of safety.
Crysencio Summerville is on fire, scoring in five straight appearances, while Taty Castellanos finally opened his Premier League account. Momentum matters in relegation scraps — and right now, we’ve got some.
Team news
Carrick expects no fresh injury boosts, with Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount still weeks away, and Patrick Dorgu sidelined.
For West Ham, Jean-Clair Todibo is suspended after his red card at Chelsea, while Łukasz Fabiański remains out with a back problem. That said, Axel Disasi did more than okay during his debut and as long as his ice bath went well, should feature.
Predicted West Ham XI
Not an easy team to predict but it’s safe to assume Wilson won’t start back to back games. However, Pablo was limping when he came on as a substitute against Burnley and wasn’t running freely. I’ll put him in my predicted team provisionally but wonder whether Nuno will be tempted to start Freddie Potts?
Position Player
GK Hermansen
RB Wan-Bissaka
CB Disasi
CB Mavropanos
LB Diouf
CM Fernandes
CM Souček
RM Bowen
LM Summerville
CF Pablo
CF Castellanos
Gonzo’s Verdict
I’ll be honest — I think we probably lose this one 2–1.
But if West Ham somehow nick it? Then it really is game on in this relegation fight. United are flying, their fans are unbearable again, and Carrick will be desperate to impress back at his old club.
Still — Summerville’s confidence, Bowen’s record, and a team finally showing some fight… stranger things have happened.
COYI.