Chris Sutton has issued a rather damning prediction as Manchester United host West Ham in a Premier League tie at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
Manchester United’s improved form was on full display in their 2–1 comeback win against Crystal Palace. A lifeless first half left Rúben Amorim’s side a goal down at the break, but moments of inspiration from Joshua Zirkzee, Mason Mount, and Bruno Fernandes flipped the contest after the interval.
The result ended a long drought, marking their first league win in London against a side other than Fulham since January 2022. United now return to Old Trafford, where West Ham make the journey north on Thursday evening.
With Champions League qualification still the target, United continue to climb the table, while West Ham remain locked in a relegation battle. The Hammers sit level on points with 18th-placed Leeds United and are only outside the bottom three by virtue of goal difference.
Amorim will be hoping the confidence taken from the Palace victory can erase the disappointment of the Everton defeat and provide the platform for a strong run of results as the festive fixtures begin.
Sutton feels United vs West Ham won’t have goals
As always with Premier League ties, former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has issued his predictions for United’s fixture against West Ham with BBC Sport. The 52-year-old is known to be harsh on United, and stated he feels this game will not be one to have too many goals.
“Manchester United fought back to beat Crystal Palace on Sunday, but they didn’t really deserve it,” Sutton claimed. “They are still a basket case of a club, and you could say the same about West Ham.
“How can I predict what Ruben Amorim’s side will do? No one can. I can’t get my head around them.
“There is no reason to back them here, or West Ham either. The Hammers pushed Liverpool close on Sunday, but they did not really threaten very much despite the Reds being so vulnerable defensively at the moment.
Sutton concluded, “There definitely won’t be many goals in this game, but I already know I am going to be wrong about it. In fact, I wish I didn’t have to make a prediction here, but I’ve been told I have to.” He then stated he feels United will win the tie 2-0, although the BBC’s AI stated a 2-2 draw.
United will be boosted by Cunha return
Despite Sutton’s words, United will be well boosted by the return of Matheus Cunha, who has missed the last two fixtures. The side have also been without first-choice striker Benjamin Šeško, although replacements Zirkzee and Mount both netted against Palace.
Cunha has missed the club’s last two fixtures, against Everton and Crystal Palace, due to a head injury in training, but confirmed on Monday that he had returned to the first team after undergoing concussion tests.
Although Cunha has only netted once for United since signing in the summer, his impact across the front line has been immeasurable.
He’s the maverick type of player who keeps defensive lines on edge across 90 minutes and can pull out magic and invention at any given moment, which is what United have sorely lacked during his absence.
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