West Ham United v Manchester United

London Stadium

Sunday, 10 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. UK

Latest team news

On Sunday, the two managers will meet at the London Stadium for a battle that will be a defining moment for two of the Premier League's most under-pressure managers.

If the Dutchman is more at risk of being fired than Lopetegui, it's probably just because he's been in the role for a while longer. West Ham has only won two of its eight league matches since the new manager took over.

For Hammers fans, it's been pretty clear that the team has lacked a clear strategy in the early months of Lopetegui's regime. The new-look back four has shown some consistency, but only in terms of the four players being the same each week. The praise must end there, as some truly awful goals have been conceded. Alphonse Areola's own goal against Tottenham after a defensive mix-up with new signing Jean-Clair Todibo is a good example.

What's particularly concerning for supporters is that Lopetegui built his reputation in Spain on being a defensively minded pragmatist. He's always been keen to develop attacking patterns, but only upon the pillars of a solid defensive base. Right now, West Ham doesn't have either.

It seems like ages ago now that Moyes's West Ham beat Ten Hag's United 2-0 in this fixture last Christmas, thanks to goals from Kudus and Jarrod Bowen. That was a big one. Ten months later, they've fallen far.

Since the word got out that, after last month's 3-0 home defeat to Spurs, United could fire Ten Hag if they lost to both Porto and Aston Villa, the Red Devils have gone unbeaten in four matches.

That said, there's more to the story. Three of those have ended in a draw, including Thursday's 1-1 tie against Fenerbahce and former manager Jose Mourinho. United haven't won a game in Europe all year, and they're still in the lower half of the Premier League table with just three wins from eight games and only seven goals.

If psychodrama and circus weren't so inextricably linked with Manchester United, it could be said that they're the most boring team in the league. Instead, their history, their wealth, and their goal of returning to the top of the table make this another season that's gone off the rails — and leave Ten Hag clinging to his job.

West Ham United Expected Lineup

GK Alphonse Areola

LB Emerson | CB Max Kilman | CB Jean-Clair Todibo | RB Aaron Wan-Bissaka

DM Edson Álvarez | DM Guido Rodríguez

LW Carlos Soler | AM Lucas Paquetá | RW Jarrod Bowen

ST Michail Antonio

Injury/suspension updates:

Niclas Füllkrug, F, calf, OUT, estimated return Nov. 2

Mohammed Kudus, F/M, suspension, due back Nov. 25

Manchester United Expected Lineup

GK André Onana

LB Diogo Dalot | CB Matthijs de Ligt | CB Lisandro Martínez | RB Noussair Mazraoui

DM Christian Eriksen | DM Casemiro

LW Alejandro Garnacho | AM Bruno Fernandes | RW Marcus Rashford

ST Rasmus Højlund

Injury/suspension updates:

Toby Collyer, M, undisclosed, DOUBT

Antony, F, ankle, OUT, estimated return Nov. 3

Jonny Evans, D, undisclosed, DOUBT

Harry Maguire, D, calf, OUT, estimated return Nov. 3

Kobbie Mainoo, M, knee, OUT, estimated return Nov. 3

Tyrell Malacia, D, knee, OUT, estimated return Nov. 10

Mason Mount, F/M, head, OUT, estimated return Nov. 3

Luke Shaw, D, calf, OUT, estimated return Nov. 3

Leny Yoro, D, foot, OUT, estimated return Nov. 24