WEST HAM PREVIEW: MANCHESTER UNITED (H)

After an impressive 8-0 win over Macclesfield in the Cabarao Cup, West Ham face a more serious challenge as they host Manchester United on Saturday.

The Irons will be seeking a victory after a well-earned point against Chelsea in last weekend’s match.

Manuel Pellegrini’s comments:

The Hammers have managed to keep a clean sheet from last Wednesday’s fixture against Macclesfield and are in form for Saturday’s clash at the London Stadium.

"I'm very happy, not only for Fabian [Balbuena] and [Issa] Diop, but also Angelo Ogbonna's performance on Wednesday," boss Pellegrini explained.

“I think we are defensively improving. I knew Diop well. He was the captain of Toulouse. I told him he need to know a bit more about the Premier League, but I was absolutely sure he would be a success here”.

West Ham will be looking for their third clean-sheet in a row for the first time since December.

“I think that we are improving in defending and that’s true for all our defenders. I’m very happy [with our defending], but not only for Diop and Balbuena because they’re having a good performances. I was very happy also with Angelo Ogbonna on Wednesday in the Cup.

Team news:

Arnautovic sets to make a return after he suffered a knee injury that ruled him out from last weekend’s match against Chelsea.

The 20-year-old Grady Diangana who scored two-goals on his debut against Macclesfield, could be in the starting XI this Saturday.

Stats:

In the team’s head-to-head, West Ham have won forty-three times against Manchester United while losing sixty-five and drawing thirty one times.

Their last encounter ended up with a 4-0 Manchester United win.

West Ham last five games were: W L W D W – they have won two out of their last three games, collecting a total of seven points.

Betting odds:

The Red Devils are favourites to win at 17/20, a draw at 14/5 and a West Ham win at 7/2.