Manchester United vs West Ham United Preview – Prediction, how to watch & potential line-ups

Manchester United’s unlikely quadruple bid continues on Wednesday as West Ham United touch down at Old Trafford for a handsomely-looking FA Cup fifth-round tie.

Celebration for ending the club’s longest title drought since the 1980s will likely outshine potential fatigue issues as the Red Devils take the field fresh from lifting the League Cup trophy. 

Casemiro and Marus Rashford scored before half-time to inspire Erik ten Hag’s charges to a 2-0 win over Newcastle United in Sunday’s grand final, helping the former Ajax boss make a small piece of history. 

But despite becoming the first Man United boss to land a major title in his debut season in charge of the club since Jose Mourinho, ten Hag’s ambitions have only gone up. 

After navigating United past Barcelona in a Europa League knockout tie and securing outside chances of pipping Arsenal and Manchester City to the Premier League title, the Dutchman turns to the FA Cup. 

Seeking a first appearance in the FA Cup quarter-finals since 2015/16, West Ham will feel confident about upsetting the odds at the Theatre of Dreams following an overwhelming 4-0 home win over Nottingham Forest.

David Moyes’ side put four unanswered second-half goals past their Premier League bottom-half rivals on Saturday to halt a three-game winless run (D2, L1) and boost their morale ahead of this trip. 

Match Preview

Manchester United

Man United thrived at Wembley Stadium at the weekend, but Old Trafford has been their happy hunting ground this season, as evidenced by an 18-match unbeaten run on home soil (W16, D2). 

Ten Hag has galvanised the Red Devils’ attack at the Theatre of Dreams, with United scoring multiple goals in 13 consecutive home outings in the build-up to this clash.

But after winning three of their last four home meetings with West Ham in all competitions by an identical 1-0 scoreline (L1), one goal could be enough to get them over the line. 

West Ham United

While a brace of wins ‘to nil’ over Brentford and Derby County in the opening two FA Cup rounds gives West Ham a false sense of security, their travel sickness in 2023 tells a different story.

Those two victories incidentally came on the road and currently stand as the Hammers’ only successes across six matches on hostile turf since the turn of the year (D2, L2). 

Having won just one of their 19 competitive visits to Old Trafford since 2007 (D3, L15), the Londoners are unlikely to beat Man United in the FA Cup round five at the second time of asking.

Manchester United vs West Ham United Potential Line-ups

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia; Casemiro, Marcel Sabitzer; Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Wout Weghorst.

West Ham United (4-3-3): Alphonse Areola; Ben Johnson, Thilo Kehrer, Nayef Aguerd, Aaron Cresswell; Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Lucas Paqueta; Said Benrahma, Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen. 

How to Watch?

Man United vs West Ham, alongside all other FA Cup fixtures, is available to watch online via the best live football streams.

Manchester United vs West Ham United Prediction

Since going down to Arsenal in 2015, Man Utd have won 13 of their last 15 home FA Cup contests (D2), including a penalty shootout triumph over West Ham in the 2020/21 fifth-round tie. 

Despite the Irons’ rampant performance against Forest, we expect the Red Devils to keep their outrageous home form in the FA Cup intact.

Manchester United 3-1 West Ham United