Manchester United returned to winning ways with just their fourth win in their past 27 trips to London when they beat Crystal Palace on Sunday and they now face another London club, this time at home, in struggling West Ham.
Midweek marvels
A midweek game under the lights at Old Trafford seems to be a formidable setting for Manchester United.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThey are unbeaten in their past 17 Premier League home games played on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. They have won 14 of those, including the past eight in a row.
Their most recent midweek home defeat in the league came in May 2021 against Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. The stands were empty for that game because of Covid-19 restrictions.
[BBC]Bah humbug
However, the festive period has proved tricky for Manchester United in recent times. The Red Devils have lost nine of their past 14 Premier League games in the month of December - including the past three in a row without scoring.
A 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth was followed up by a toothless showing at Molineux against Wolves, before United finished 2024 with a 2-0 loss to Newcastle at Old Trafford.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJoshua Zirkzee was substituted and booed off the pitch after just 32 minutes in the latter. Fast forward 12 months and he is back in the side, scoring the equaliser last time out against Palace - his first Premier League goal in 364 days.
Irons optimism
Although Manchester United have proved to be a difficult opponent for West Ham historically, there are reasons for Nuno Espirito Santo to be optimistic. The Hammers have beaten Manchester United in four out of their past five Premier League meetings, including a 2-0 win in this fixture last season.
That result ended a 16-game winless run away to Manchester United in the Premier League. On Thursday, the visitors could earn consecutive league victories at Old Trafford for the first time since 1934.
[BBC]Captain Jarrod Bowen was on the scoresheet in three of those five games, including in both meetings between the sides last season. The player who most recently scored in three in a row against Manchester United for the Hammers was Jermain Defoe between 2001 and 2002.
