Manchester United vs. West Ham United: Detailed Match Preview – Club Friendly, July 26, 2025
Manchester United face West Ham United in the Premier League Summer Series, a pre-season tournament featuring four Premier League clubs, on July 26, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, USA. Kickoff is at 23:00 UTC (7:00 PM EDT). This friendly, part of both teams’ preparations for the 2025/26 Premier League season, follows Manchester United’s 0-0 draw with Leeds United in Sweden and West Ham’s 3-1 victory over Grasshopper Club Zürich in Austria. The match offers a platform for managers Ruben Amorim (Manchester United) and Graham Potter (West Ham) to test tactical setups and integrate new signings, such as United’s Bryan Mbeumo and West Ham’s Kyle Walker-Peters and Jean-Clair Todibo. With points awarded (3 for a win, 1 for a draw) in the Summer Series, the game carries competitive weight, amplified by the historical rivalry between these clubs.
Historical Head-to-Head Record
The rivalry between Manchester United and West Ham United spans over a century, with 156 competitive meetings across all competitions, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup. Manchester United hold a clear advantage, having won 74 matches to West Ham’s 50, with 32 draws. The Red Devils have scored 259 goals to West Ham’s 192, averaging 2.89 goals per match. The largest victory in the fixture was Manchester United’s 6-0 Premier League win (26 january, 2003), while West Ham’s notable triumphs include a 3-2 comeback at the Boleyn Ground on May 7, 2016, which delayed United’s top-four hopes. Recent encounters have been closer, with West Ham achieving a league double over United in 2024/25, their first since 2006/07, ending an 11-match streak without draws.
| Head-to-Head Statistics | Manchester United | West Ham United | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 74 wins | 50 wins | 32 |
| Total Goals | 259 | 192 | – |
| Average Goals per Match | 1.66 (United) | 1.23 (West Ham) | – |
| Biggest Win | 6-0 (Premier League) | 3-2 (2016) | – |
West Ham’s recent success, particularly their 2-0 win at Old Trafford on May 11, 2025, highlights their growing confidence against United. This fixture often produces high-stakes moments, such as Jesse Lingard’s dramatic 89th-minute winner for United in a 2-1 victory on September 19, 2021, or West Ham’s emotional farewell to the Boleyn Ground in 2016.
Detailed Analysis of Recent Head-to-Head Matches
The 2024/25 Premier League season saw West Ham defeat Manchester United in both league encounters, a significant shift from United’s historical dominance. Below is an in-depth breakdown of these matches, including goal descriptions, player performances, and statistical insights.
West Ham United 2-1 Manchester United (October 27, 2024, London Stadium)
This thrilling encounter saw West Ham edge out Manchester United in a match defined by late drama. The game remained goalless until the 74th minute when substitute Crysencio Summerville scored his first goal for West Ham. The move began with a swift counter-attack down the left, where Danny Ings received a pass from Aaron Cresswell. Ings’ scuffed shot trickled across the goalmouth, and Summerville slid in to poke it past André Onana from six yards, sparking wild celebrations that earned him a yellow card.
Manchester United responded in the 81st minute when Casemiro headed in a corner. Diogo Dalot’s initial header from Bruno Fernandes’ delivery was redirected by Joshua Zirkzee, allowing Casemiro to nod in at the back post. The match seemed destined for a draw until a controversial VAR decision in the 12th minute of stoppage time awarded West Ham a penalty for a foul by Matthijs de Ligt on Danny Ings. Jarrod Bowen stepped up, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom left corner to secure a 2-1 victory.
Player Performances:
- Manchester United: Casemiro was United’s standout, scoring and making 5 tackles, though he couldn’t prevent the late penalty. Bruno Fernandes created 3 chances but was booked for a handball and missed a long-range shot. Amad Diallo’s pace troubled West Ham’s defense, but his shot was blocked by Max Kilman. Rasmus Højlund was frustrated, caught offside twice and missing a header. André Onana made a diving save on Mohammed Kudus’ curling shot but was shaken after colliding with Michail Antonio, requiring treatment.
- West Ham United: Summerville’s impact off the bench was decisive, combining pace and composure. Bowen’s penalty and 2 key passes underlined his importance, while Ings’ work rate created the opener. Kudus drove forward with 3 successful dribbles but missed two shots. Lukasz Fabianski’s first-half save on Casemiro’s header from a corner was pivotal, and Aaron Cresswell’s 4 interceptions bolstered the defense.
Match Statistics:
| Metric | Manchester United | West Ham United |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 54% | 46% |
| Shots (On Target) | 15 (4) | 10 (3) |
| Corners | 6 | 3 |
| Fouls | 8 | 10 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.2 | 1.4 |
Manchester United 0-2 West Ham United (May 11, 2025, Old Trafford)
West Ham’s first Old Trafford league win since 2007 was a clinical display, ending Manchester United’s season on a low note. The first goal came in the 26th minute through Tomás Soucek. Mohammed Kudus, breaking from midfield, drove down the right and delivered a low cross after a one-two with Emerson Palmieri. Soucek, unmarked in the box, flicked the ball past Altay Bayindir with a deft first-time finish. The second goal arrived in the 57th minute, capitalizing on a United error. Manuel Ugarte’s misplaced pass in midfield, expecting a free kick that wasn’t given, allowed Kudus to surge forward.
His shot deflected off Leny Yoro, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka squared the loose ball to Bowen, who tapped in at the back post. United’s wastefulness was evident, with Alphonse Areola making standout saves, including a sprawling stop on Rasmus Højlund’s point-blank header.
Player Performances:
- Manchester United: Amad Diallo, on his first start since February, forced a spectacular save from Areola with a curling 20-yard shot and completed 2 dribbles. Bruno Fernandes was off-target with two early shots, while Højlund missed three chances, including a close-range header. Harry Maguire won 5 aerial duels but failed to convert a set-piece header. Leny Yoro’s early injury disrupted United’s backline, forcing Jonny Evans into action.
- West Ham United: Soucek’s goal and 6 clearances showcased his all-around impact. Bowen was clinical, scoring and creating 2 chances. Kudus assisted both goals, completing 4 dribbles and winning a free kick. Areola’s heroics, including saves on Højlund and Diallo, earned him man-of-the-match honors. Max Kilman’s 3 blocks and Jean-Clair Todibo’s 4 tackles solidified the defense.
Match Statistics:
| Metric | Manchester United | West Ham United |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Shots (On Target) | 20 (6) | 9 (4) |
| Corners | 7 | 4 |
| Fouls | 10 | 12 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.8 | 1.1 |
Historical Context and Notable Past Encounters
The Manchester United-West Ham rivalry has produced iconic moments. On February 4, 2024, at Old Trafford, United won 3-0. Rasmus Højlund opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, pouncing on a turnover by Nayef Aguerd and firing a low right-footed shot into the bottom corner. Alejandro Garnacho added two goals: the first in the 48th minute, deflecting off Aguerd from a Lisandro Martínez pass, and the second in the 84th minute, a solo run finished with a low shot. André Onana’s save on Soucek’s header and Diogo Dalot’s tackle on Bowen preserved the clean sheet.
Another memorable clash was West Ham’s 3-2 win on May 7, 2016, at the Boleyn Ground, their final league game at the historic venue. Diafra Sakho scored in the 10th minute, bundling in after a Dimitri Payet free kick. Anthony Martial equalized (51st minute, tap-in from Juan Mata’s cross) and put United ahead (72nd minute, another Mata assist). However, Michail Antonio’s 76th-minute header from Payet’s cross and Winston Reid’s 80th-minute header from Payet’s free kick sealed a dramatic comeback, denting United’s Champions League hopes.
| Notable Historical Matches | Date | Score | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League, Old Trafford | Feb 4, 2024 | Man Utd 3-0 | Højlund’s opener, Garnacho’s brace, Onana’s key save |
| Premier League, London Stadium | Sep 19, 2021 | Man Utd 2-1 | Ronaldo’s equalizer, Lingard’s curling 89th-minute winner |
| Premier League, Boleyn Ground | May 7, 2016 | West Ham 3-2 | Sakho’s early goal, Martial’s brace, Antonio and Reid’s late headers |
Top Goalscorers in the Fixture
| Player | Club | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne Rooney | Manchester United | 12 |
| George Best | Manchester United | 11 |
| Sir Geoff Hurst | West Ham United | 10 |
| Sir Bobby Charlton | Manchester United | 10 |
| Ryan Giggs | Manchester United | 7 |
Team Form and Context
Manchester United’s 2024/25 Premier League campaign was their worst in decades, finishing 15th with 39 points (10 wins, 9 draws, 19 losses, 43 goals scored, 58 conceded). Their pre-season began with a lackluster 0-0 draw against Leeds United, where new signing Bryan Mbeumo was absent, and Rasmus Højlund and Marcus Rashford failed to convert chances. Amad Diallo’s 0.71 non-penalty goals/assists per 90 and Bruno Fernandes’ 10 assists were bright spots, but United’s nine home defeats (a record since 1962) exposed defensive and attacking frailties.
West Ham, under Graham Potter, ended 2024/25 in 17th with 40 points (10 wins, 10 draws, 18 losses, 40 goals scored, 61 conceded). Their 2-0 win at Old Trafford snapped an eight-game winless streak, with Jarrod Bowen contributing to 43% of their goals (17 involvements). Their pre-season 3-1 win over Grasshopper saw goals from Danny Ings, Crysencio Summerville, and debutant Niclas Füllkrug. Mohammed Kudus’ flair (4.2 dribbles per 90) and Tomás Soucek’s 9 goals were key, though defensive lapses cost them in the league.
| 2024/25 Premier League Standings | Position | Points | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 15th | 39 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 43 | 58 |
| West Ham United | 17th | 40 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 40 | 61 |
Tactical Insights
Manchester United, led by Ruben Amorim, are adopting a 3-4-2-1 formation, with wing-backs like Diogo Dalot and attacking midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount creating chances. However, injuries to Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw in 2024/25 exposed vulnerabilities, with United conceding from 1.5 expected goals against (xGA) per game. Their 0.9 non-penalty expected goals (npxG) per match reflects struggles in front of goal, with Højlund and Rashford missing 12 and 8 big chances, respectively, last season.
West Ham’s approach under Potter emphasizes counter-attacks and set-pieces. Tomás Soucek’s 2.1 aerial duels won per 90 and Bowen’s 0.5 goals per 90 make them dangerous from crosses and dead balls. Mohammed Kudus’ 4.2 successful dribbles per 90 stretch defenses, but West Ham’s 1.6 xGA per game suggests vulnerability to United’s pace, especially if Diallo or Mbeumo exploit transitions. New signings Kyle Walker-Peters and Jean-Clair Todibo add defensive stability, with the latter’s 3.8 clearances per 90 in Ligue 1.
Key Players to Watch
- Manchester United:
- Amad Diallo: His 1.5 possessions won per 90 in the final third and 2.3 successful dribbles per 90 make him a dynamic winger. His shot against Areola in May 2025 showed his threat, though he needs sharper finishing.
- Bruno Fernandes: The captain’s 10 assists and 2.5 key passes per 90 drive United’s attack, but his 0.3 npxG per 90 reflects poor shot accuracy (e.g., two misses in May 2025).
- Rasmus Højlund: Despite 8 goals in 2024/25, he missed 12 big chances, including a header against Areola. His 1.8 shots per 90 offer potential if he improves conversion.
- West Ham United:
- Jarrod Bowen: With 3 goals and 2 assists in the last two H2H games, his 0.5 goals per 90 and 1.7 key passes per 90 are vital. His penalty in October 2024 showed composure.
- Tomás Soucek: His 9 goals and 2.1 aerial duels won per 90 make him a set-piece threat, as seen in his May 2025 flick.
- Mohammed Kudus: His 4.2 dribbles per 90 and assists for both goals in May 2025 highlight his flair, though he missed 3 big chances last season.
| Key Player Stats (2024/25) | Player | Goals | Assists | Key Passes/90 | Dribbles/90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | Amad Diallo | 3 | 2 | 1.8 | 2.3 |
| Manchester United | Bruno Fernandes | 4 | 10 | 2.5 | 1.1 |
| Manchester United | Rasmus Højlund | 8 | 3 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| West Ham United | Jarrod Bowen | 10 | 7 | 1.7 | 1.9 |
| West Ham United | Tomás Soucek | 9 | 2 | 0.8 | 0.6 |
| West Ham United | Mohammed Kudus | 7 | 5 | 1.5 | 4.2 |
Conclusion
This friendly, part of the Premier League Summer Series, awards points that contribute to the tournament’s outcome, decided by goal difference or goals scored if tied.
For Manchester United, it’s a chance to address their 2024/25 struggles, where they scored only 43 goals (14th in the league) and conceded 58. West Ham, buoyed by their H2H dominance, aim to test their revamped squad, with Füllkrug’s physicality and Todibo’s ball-playing ability adding depth. The match, broadcast on MUTV and whufc.com, is a key step in both teams’ pre-season preparations, offering fans a glimpse of tactical evolutions and new signings.