Michael Carrick and his Red Army return to the capital to face West Ham, looking to extend a run that has made United the only unbeaten side in the league this calendar year.
What turned out to be a routine 2–0 win over Spurs last time out made it four on the bounce. Now, five straight victories — something not achieved since 2024 — is within touching distance.
And yet… this is the one that has me nervous 😬.
For all the confidence building around Carrick’s early reign, this feels like the type of fixture that has tripped United up before. I’ll admit it — despite the form, I’m not completely comfortable heading into this one.
Predicted Line-up
As you can see, there’s one change.
Carrick has leaned heavily on the “if it ain't broke, don’t fix it” approach — and fair enough, four wins in a row speaks for itself. But this feels like the moment for a tweak.
Šeško in for Cunha.
Yes, it’s a big call. But he feels on the brink of a start, and this fixture looks like the right opportunity. Against West Ham, a traditional focal point could prove more effective than the fluid false 9.
Cunha, for all his quality, was arguably the quietest of the front four against Spurs and has looked devastating as an impact sub in recent weeks. Keeping him on the bench gives United that genuine x-factor in reserve if the game needs changing.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Carrick sticks with the same XI — nor would I complain — but there’s something about this fixture that suggests a subtle shift.
Elsewhere, the only other potential alteration could come at left-back. With Shaw’s injury history, two games in quick succession might be a stretch. That could open the door for Mazraoui, especially with Dorgu still unavailable.
Beyond that, continuity remains key.
Approach
One of the reasons I’ve gone for Šeško to start is because, in truth, Carrick has largely favoured a conservative style of defend and counter.
Until Spurs went down to ten men, City, Arsenal and Fulham all had more possession than us in those matches. United have been comfortable without the ball, sitting compact and striking in moments.
That works — but it may not work here.
When the front four is Mbeumo, Amad, Bruno and Cunha, the side feels built for transition football — quick breaks, rotations, individual moments of brilliance. Don't get me wrong, they can play ball, but their biggest strength is chaos and movement rather than structured domination.
Against West Ham, who are more than happy to defend and counter themselves, trying to mirror that approach may not be enough.
Šeško changes the dynamic. He offers a focal point, someone who can hold the ball up, win flick-ons, occupy centre-backs and provide a genuine aerial threat. He gives structure to attacks rather than relying purely on movement.
I mean, for £70m, he cannot be a bench option.
Defensively, there are concerns too.
Shaw has done well to stay fit this season (somehow), but two intense matches in quick succession is always a question mark given his injury history. Dalot can be very good but inconsistent. Martínez and Maguire have formed a solid partnership yet they’ve largely defended deep and close to their own box, which suits them.
This game may ask different questions and require them to play out of their comfort zone.
United are unlikely to be allowed to sit in and counter. The initiative will be ours. That probably means a higher line, more possession and more exposure in transition.
And that’s where the nerves kick in.
Jarrod Bowen has consistently troubled us. Crysencio Summerville is in electric form (5 goals in last five) and frighteningly quick. West Ham have pace and experience across the pitch. If United push up and lose the ball cheaply, there is space to exploit behind two centre-backs who are not blessed with recovery speed.
That’s why this feels like a potential banana skin.
But let’s be honest about the recent wins and call it like it is. We countered well against a vulnerable City defence. Arsenal required a mistake by them and moments of brilliance. Fulham was tight and required a late winner. Spurs played an hour with ten men.
None of that discredits the results but it does mean that we haven’t yet seen United fully control a match from start to finish against a disciplined side without external factors influencing the game.
Hence why I'm a little wary of this match.
West Ham are at home, they are experienced, they won’t gift us space, they won’t dominate possession. They will wait.
And if we go a goal down? That becomes the real test.
This is less about momentum and more about maturity. If Carrick’s United can impose themselves here — not rely on moments, red cards or worldies — then the belief becomes real.
That’s why I’m nervous.
And that’s why I want to see more.
Form
United are unbeaten in 2026 🙌!
Four straight wins — a run only Chelsea can currently match — has properly cemented our place in the Champions League race.
4th place and 44 points means we've already managed 2 more than in the entirety of last season!
And for the first time in a while, we’re not just looking over our shoulder — we’re looking up.
With Villa dropping points at Bournemouth, the gap to 3rd is now just 3 points. If United beat West Ham, our superior goal difference would send us above Villa at least until their game against Brighton tomorrow night.
3rd. WOW!
That’s how quickly things can change.
Individually, the form is just as encouraging. Mbeumo has 9 league goals and 3 in his last four. Cunha has 2 goals and an assist in his last four. Bruno has 1 goal and 3 assists in that same period. Even Šeško has 3 in his last four.
Everyone is contributing.
But here’s the part that tempers the excitement.
Away from home, United are only 8th in the table. Four wins, five draws, three defeats. 21 scored, 21 conceded. Not a single clean sheet on the road.
We’re even behind the likes of Everton, Palace and Spurs.
That’s not exactly the greatest form away from Old Trafford.
And then there’s the recent head-to-head.
Last six meetings:
- One draw
- One United win
- FOUR West Ham wins
5 goals scored by us. 8 by them. Three clean sheets for the Hammers in that time as well.
The last time we won at the London Stadium was September 2021 — and it took a late dramatic David de Gea penalty save to secure it.
So yes, the momentum is real. The table looks good. The players are in form.
But history, and our away record, suggest this is anything but straightforward.
Which is why, despite the optimism, this still feels like a proper test.
West Ham
The Hammers are in survival mode.
Currently 18th, but after winning three of their last four, they’re just 3 points behind safety. Momentum at the bottom of the table is dangerous — and that alone gives them serious incentive tonight.
They’ve won just six games all season — the third-fewest in the league — but half of those have come in the last four matches. Five draws, 14 defeats along with those six triumphs. However, only Burnley and Wolves have lost more.
Defensively, they’ve struggled. 48 goals conceded — only Burnley have let in more.
And now they face the third-best attack in the division.
On paper, that’s a mismatch.
But we know how Santo sets up. Compact. Deep block. Frustrate. Then counter with pace.
Against a United defence that isn’t exactly the quickest, that’s the obvious route.
Interestingly though, Santo’s record against United is perfectly balanced: 15 games. Five wins. Five draws. Five defeats.
Not bad at all.
On the other hand, at the London Stadium, West Ham have been poor. 19th in the home table. Just three wins all season. One draw and eight defeats as well. They’ve also conceded 26 which is the second-most in the league.
They’ve actually looked more comfortable away from home.
Santo has also confirmed there will be absentees, though he refused to name names. We already know Lukasz Fabianski is out and Jean-Clair Todibo is suspended after his red card at Chelsea.
Prediction
You know what… I’m nervous.
This just feels like one of those games, you know?
All the expectation is on us. We’re the in-form side. Minimal injuries. Players flying. Momentum building.
And that’s exactly when United have tripped up before.
The pressure will be high, yet this is precisely when we’ve seen this team struggle: when the weight of expectation sits too heavy.
But…
There’s something different about this group. There’s a belief there now. A calmness. A sense that even if things get difficult, we’ll find a way.
I don’t think it’ll be comfortable. In fact, I think it’ll be tense for large parts. But I’m backing us to get it done.
3–1 United.
Maybe it’s level going into the final 20. Maybe we need a late goal to settle it. But I think the quality will show in the end.
What are your thoughts heading into West Ham? Five from five?
Crysencio Summerville | Image via West Ham official X (@WestHam)
London Stadium | Image credit: Getty Images via Goal
Benjamin Sesko | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)