Man Utd game is a must win for under-fire Lopetegui, three weaknesses West Ham can exploit | OneFootball

West Ham United will be eager to bag three points against Manchester United on Sunday to ease the pressure on manager Julen Lopetegui following the poor start to the season.

This match could define the trajectory of Lopetegui’s tenure as the Hammers have struggled to find their feet under his leadership.

West Ham have recorded two wins from eight Premier League games (L4, D2) this season, and Lopetegui is under fire to turn the tide after the club splashed the cash on new signings in the summer.

The club’s fans and board expect more from the experienced manager, and a positive result against Man United is imperative to ease the tension.

Man United are there for the taking. The Premier League giants sit just three points and three places above the Hammers in 12th. They have only two wins from their previous seven games.

Erik ten Hag’s side continue to look disjointed, and this is a glorious chance for the Hammers to claim a morale-boosting scalp against the Reds.

West Ham also have an excellent recent home record against Man United, winning the last two meetings in London. A repeat performance would restore much-needed confidence to a team needing a spark.

Three areas for West Ham to exploit

Man United’s porous midfield can be outrun. The Red Devils are famously soft through the centre, and the addition of Manuel Ugarte has done nothing to plug that gaping hole.

They are expected to field Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Ugarte in midfield. While it looks excellent on paper, the Hammers must believe they can overrun this incohesive bunch.

United are notoriously susceptible to counter-attacks, and Loptegui needs to set up his side to take advantage of fast breaks.

Their haphazard organisation makes it difficult for them to defend transitions well, and Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen need to exploit the gaps between their midfield and defence.

West Ham must also target full-back Diogo Dalot. The Portuguese defender blows hot and cold and can be caught flat-footed when bamboozled by third-man runs.

The Hammers must overwhelm him, and he will likely give up a chance or two.