Man United vs West Ham: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to Watch | OneFootball

Manchester United face testing West Ham visit at Old Trafford

The final fixture from this Premier League midweek round places Manchester United against West Ham in a meeting shaped as much by recent narrative as current necessity. Both sides step into Thursday night knowing results elsewhere have created an opportunity to gather momentum before the festive congestion begins to bite.

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Man Utd arrive buoyed by their stirring comeback at Crystal Palace, a victory that lifted them to seventh, three points from the Champions League positions. Progress under Ruben Amorim has fostered renewed belief, yet Old Trafford remains an uncertain stage. Their most recent home outing ended in a sobering defeat to Everton, who played most of the contest with ten men. Add to that the uncomfortable statistic of four defeats in the last five meetings with West Ham and optimism becomes tempered with caution.

For the Hammers, the picture is more fragile. A brief three match unbeaten sequence was halted by Liverpool and the challenge now is translating improvement into away points, something achieved only once so far this campaign. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have found a gritty shape in recent weeks, even if consistency remains elusive.

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Kick off time and broadcast details

Manchester United vs West Ham is scheduled for a 8pm GMT kick off on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Old Trafford.

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be shown live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 7pm GMT across Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Live stream: Subscribers can also watch via the Sky Go app.

Team news from Man Utd and West Ham camps

Man Utd receive a timely boost with the return of Matheus Cunha, sidelined for the Everton defeat and Palace win after picking up a knock in training. Amorim confirmed the forward is “good” to feature, potentially forcing a reshuffle that could see Joshua Zirkzee drop out of the starting XI despite his Palace equaliser.

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Benjamin Sesko continues his recovery from a knee injury, while Harry Maguire remains unavailable following his substitution against Tottenham last month. Amorim also acknowledged two further injury doubts but declined to identify the players involved.

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The fixture also carries a sense of transition, as it represents one of the final appearances for Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui before their departures for the Africa Cup of Nations.

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West Ham must cope without Lucas Paqueta, suspended after his dismissal against Liverpool. The match also arrives too soon for Crysencio Summerville to complete his return from injury, leaving the visitors light in creative options.

Prediction and recent head to head

Despite the lingering memory of the Everton defeat, the broader trajectory suggests Man Utd are moving in the right direction. The Palace comeback showcased resolve, tactical discipline and attacking edge, qualities they will need again against an opponent historically adept at unsettling them.

This contest feels tighter than league position might imply, particularly given West Ham’s recent success in this fixture. Yet with Cunha back in contention and Old Trafford demanding a response after the Everton reverse, United are expected to edge it.

Manchester United to win, 2-1.

The historical ledger still favours the hosts, even if recent seasons have shifted the balance slightly.

Manchester United wins: 74West Ham wins: 50Draws: 32

For both clubs, Thursday night becomes a litmus test of ambition in the Premier League, for United a chance to reinforce their climb, for West Ham an opportunity to disrupt a rival’s resurgence.