West Ham welcome Manchester United to the London Stadium this weekend in what had been dubbed ‘El Sackico’.
I think it’s fair to say no managers are under more pressure in the Premier League this season than Julen Lopetegui at West Ham and Erik ten Hag at Man United.
The media spotlight is firmly fixed on Lopetegui after West Ham’s 4-1 drubbing at Spurs.
Meanwhile Manchester United’s 2-1 comeback win against Brentford quelled incessant rumours around Ten Hag’s position.
Ironically Lopetegui was linked with the Man United job in the summer.
Some Hammers fans may be wishing the Red Devils got him.
West Ham have won just two Premier League games under the Spaniard thus far.
The sheer size of Manchester United means the weight of pressure on Ten Hag is far greater than Lopetegui is facing at West Ham.
Make no mistake, though, a chastening thrashing against their biggest Premier League rivals has turned the heat back up for the former Spain and Real Madrid boss.
A few weeks ago the prospect of facing Man United would have been a welcome one for most clubs, including West Ham.
It looked for all the world like Ten Hag was edging ever closer to the Old Trafford exit.
Grim Man United news for West Ham
Before West Ham’s 4-1 win over Ipswich before the October international break it seemed to be a race to a P45 between Lopetegui and Man United’s Dutch boss.
Things have changed, though.
As a result, grim Man United news for West Ham means things can get even worse.
West Ham’s hugely disappointing start to the season means Lopetegui simply must pick up an unexpected result or two sooner rather than later.
Man United have lost just once in their last eight games, though.
Yes the Red Devils face a tough looking trip to face Fenerbahce on Thursday night ahead of Sunday’s trip to the London Stadium.
But Ten Hag suddenly has some top class players hitting top form.
Marcus Rashford had what many feel was his best game in a long time against Brentford.
He created the more chances in that game than he has in any other for five years.
Ten Hag’s side had 23 shots against the Bees.
That feels very ominous for West Ham given their propensity to concede goals.
But Rashford isn’t the only Man United star back hitting form in time to face the Hammers.
Rasmus Hojlund scored and impressed fans and pundits alike.
So too did Alejandro Garnacho.
Man United trio and Kudus absence spell trouble for Lopetegui
That forward line all coming into their own in tandem spells bad news for West Ham.
Just when Lopetegui thought things can’t get any worse there’s every chance they could.
It’s always a big game when Man United come to east London.
But while Man United seem to be getting into a rhythm, West Ham still look like a team of strangers.
The Hammers shipped three goals in eight minutes at Spurs. It could have been four in nine too save for Son Heung-min’s shot hitting the post.
West Ham have been so poor they find themselves going into a game against Manchester United needing to win.
That is never a good place to be regardless of the quality of Man United.
West Ham’s midfield is completely dysfunctional. Bruno Fernandes could have a field day as a result.
Throw in the fact that Niclas Fullkrug is still out long term and Mohammed Kudus is suspended and it’s all looking a touch bleak.
Lopetegui has it all to do to convince many fans and media he’s the right man for the job.
All the signs ahead of Man United coming to town suggest there will be no respite this weekend.
Things could be about to get worse before they get better.
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