Man United v West Ham Tips: Back the Hammers to give United a tricky test
By Robin Bairner
Latest Premier League odds29 October 2022
Manchester United meet West Ham in the Premier League as David Moyes returns to face a rejuvenated Red Devils side. Can he get one over his old employers?
From Moyes to Ten Hag
Manchester United have been seeking a formula for success since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. With Erik ten Hag, United fans have seen the clearest signs yet that they are ready to emerge from a decade of disappointment, which began when David Moyes took over from his compatriot.
On Sunday, it will be the old versus the new at Old Trafford, with Moyes bringing his West Ham team to a venue where he has enjoyed limited success in the past.
The Red Devils may not be the force they once were, but with five wins in their last seven, they are at least getting back to their best.
United moving forward
United may have shown both promise and improvement under Ten Hag, but what they have not displayed yet is consistency in the Premier League. Indeed, they have not won back-to-back games in the division for two months, albeit they have played only five fixtures in that timeframe.
This version of the Red Devils, though, do appear to have a stronger mentality to them. This has been displayed in the manner in which they fought back to draw improbably against Chelsea last weekend, as well as in victories over Liverpool and Tottenham. Even the manner in which they salvaged some kind of pride in their 6-3 loss to Manchester City suggested there is more mettle to this team than in the recent past.
On Thursday, meanwhile, they recorded the biggest win of the Ten Hag era to date. It may only have been a 3-0 success against Sheriff, but it was a chance for Cristiano Ronaldo to heal recent wounds, while it also gave youngster Alejandro Garnacho the opportunity to dazzle on debut. United aren’t perfect yet, but they are moving in the right direction.
Still under the hammer
Another team on the up is West Ham. The Hammers made an inauspicious start to the season as they lost their first three Premier League matches, leading to suggestions they would not be able to match last season’s seventh-placed finish.
David Moyes’ men have forced their way into the top half of the table after a sequence of improved performances however, which include a narrow away defeat by Liverpool. They deserved more from that trip to Anfield, with Jason Bowen’s saved first-half penalty a major opportunity spurned.
Indeed, while there has been an improvement from the Hammers, there has yet to be a statement victory. Three of their four wins have come at home against relatively weak opponents, while their sole success on the road was against an Aston Villa side in turmoil. This trip to Old Trafford is an opportunity to break free from the mid-table masses and signal that they are intent on another European challenge.
Reds to have too much devil
Manchester United will expect to be too strong for their guests, with a price of 1.73 reflecting that. The Red Devils have won their last four against the Hammers, who have lost 11 of their last 14 at Old Trafford, drawing the other three games. Furthermore, they have lost 21 times at United’s home in the Premier League era – the venue where they have suffered most defeats.
Historically, this is a hard-fought fixture. United have won only one of the last eight Premier League matches at home against the London side by more than a single goal, with each of the last three producing fewer than 2.5 goals. The price of 1.98 on that trend to continue looks attractive.
Manchester United to win and under 2.5 goals is on offer at 4.1, which looks good for the adventurous.
On the Asian Handicap at +1.5, West Ham can be supported at 1.37 but this looks significantly too skinny to provide value.