Mansion Sports – The 2025/2026 Premier League campaign continues to deliver compelling fixtures as Manchester United prepare to host West Ham United on matchweek 14. 

The encounter is scheduled to take place at Old Trafford on Thursday, 4 December 2025 at 20:15 local time.

With a ten-point gap and a ten-place difference separating the two clubs ahead of this gameweek, this midweek clash naturally draws significant attention. 

Manchester United recently regained momentum with a 2–1 victory over Crystal Palace, while West Ham suffered a 2–0 defeat to Liverpool, influenced by the controversial dismissal of Lucas Paquetá. Below is a comprehensive preview and projected lineup for both sides.

Team Conditions Ahead of the Match

Manchester United

A retaken penalty and two well-executed free-kick situations proved decisive as Manchester United ended Crystal Palace’s long unbeaten home streak in the Premier League, bringing The Eagles’ 12-match run at Selhurst Park to a close.

Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring for the hosts through a penalty, but United turned the match around through Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount, both capitalizing on set-piece deliveries from Bruno Fernandes.

The win served as an essential response following a painful defeat to Everton. United now sit seventh in the standings, just three points behind third-placed Chelsea. 

After losing four of their first seven matches across all competitions, Ruben Amorim has since overseen only one defeat in the subsequent seven fixtures.

However, the pressure remains. Should United lose this match, Amorim would become the quickest United manager to reach ten Premier League home defeats—doing so in just 20 matches at Old Trafford. 

December has also been an unfavorable period for the club, with United currently on a three-match December losing streak without scoring a single goal.

West Ham United

Home supporters may enter this fixture with greater optimism than the travelling West Ham fans, particularly after The Irons’ loss to Liverpool last weekend—an outcome heavily shaped by Paquetá’s red card.

Between goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, Paquetá was dismissed for indiscipline, later escalating the controversy with criticism aimed at the FA on social media.

Depending on other match results earlier in the week, West Ham could find themselves back in the relegation zone before kick-off. 

Nuno Espírito Santo is also still searching for his first Premier League away victory as West Ham manager, having failed in his four previous attempts. 

Another setback would make him the first West Ham coach since Avram Grant in 2010 to go winless in his opening five away league matches.

Even so, West Ham carry confidence from their league double over Manchester United last season—a 2–1 win at London Stadium, which marked Erik ten Hag’s final match, followed by a 2–0 triumph at Old Trafford. Another win would give them consecutive league victories at the Theatre of Dreams for the first time since 1934.

Predicted Lineups for Manchester United vs West Ham (December 2025)

Below is the projected lineup for each team based on current squad conditions.

Manchester United (3-4-2-1)

Matheus Cunha has returned to training after missing two matches due to a head injury sustained in training and may feature in this fixture. However, Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee’s recent performances give them strong arguments to retain their starting roles.

With Lisandro Martínez back in action last week, United remained without only Benjamin Sesko (knee injury) and Harry Maguire (thigh injury). Ruben Amorim noted a few doubtful players but did not provide details.

West Ham United (4-2-3-1)

Lucas Paquetá is unavailable as he serves his suspension from the previous match. Crysencio Summerville remains doubtful due to injury, forcing Nuno Espírito Santo to consider rotations in midfield and on the flanks.

Luis Guilherme could start if Mateus Fernandes is shifted centrally. Lukasz Fabianski (back injury) and Oliver Scarles (shoulder injury) are also sidelined.

This detailed preview highlights the latest developments and likely selections ahead of the December 2025 meeting between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford.