A big game for West Ham is on the horizon, as they prepare to welcome Manchester United to the London Stadium on Sunday. According to Arsenal legend Paul Merson, this fixture could be a real turning point in the Hammers’ season, and may even prove to be a stern test for the struggling Red Devils.
Merson sees this as a great opportunity for West Ham to turn their campaign around, stating that “We all agree they haven’t clicked as well as they would’ve liked, but if that happens on Sunday, this could be a massive test for Manchester United.” He believes the hosts can cause Manchester United plenty of problems, and the game has the potential to be an entertaining 2-2 draw.
However, some have called into question the long-term future of Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, with reports suggesting that the club may bring in a new manager before the season concludes. Merson doesn’t see it that way, though, stating that “Erik ten Hag will always be under pressure as manager at Manchester United. If he goes out and loses this game, they are getting beaten by a team sitting 15th in the league table and that’s nowhere near good enough for a club like United. If he wins, well it’s normal because you’re expected to win these games. It feels as if no matter what he does, it’s tough for him to get on the good books right away.”
Ultimately, Merson expects a draw in this fixture, and believes that Ten Hag’s position at the club is secure for now. While Manchester United are struggling this term, their status as a major club means that Ten Hag will have ample time to turn their fortunes around.
As the two teams face off, it’s worth noting that Manchester United have historically had the upper hand in this fixture, with 70 wins to West Ham’s 40 in their 141 meetings. However, 31 of those matches have ended in a draw, and Merson’s prediction of a 2-2 stalemate may not be too far-fetched.
