Manchester United, under the guidance of Ruben Amorim in his first full preseason as manager, are entering a new era following a turbulent previous season. The Red Devils ended the last campaign in 15th place, securing just 27 points from 27 games and conceding 42 goals. Despite the challenges, United have made significant investments in attack, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha joining for a combined $180 million. These additions are expected to boost their attacking output, which stood at 32 goals in 27 matches last season. However, questions remain about their midfield stability and defensive reliability, both of which were problematic in 2024.
West Ham United, now managed by Graham Potter, are also undergoing a period of transition. The Hammers finished 14th last season and have since seen the departure of key attacker Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur for $74 million. This transfer has left a gap in their offensive ranks, but Potter has begun reinforcing the squad with signings such as Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice ($44 million), El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague ($25.5 million), and Kyle Walker-Peters on a free transfer from Southampton. Despite these additions, West Ham are expected to face challenges in creating and converting chances in the upcoming season.
In terms of lineups, Manchester United’s squad for this fixture features Bayindir, Yoro, De Ligt, Heaven, Dorgu, Mainoo, Ugarte, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, and Hojlund. West Ham are set to field Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd, Diouf, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Bowen, and Fullkrug. Notably, United will be without Andre Onana (hamstring) and Lisandro Martinez (torn ACL), while West Ham are missing Crysencio Summerville (hamstring).
The match is part of a larger preseason tour for both teams in the United States. After this opener, Manchester United will face Bournemouth in Chicago and conclude the series against Everton in Atlanta. West Ham, meanwhile, will take on Everton in Chicago and finish against Bournemouth in Atlanta. Both clubs have additional friendlies lined up before the new Premier League season begins.
From a statistical and betting perspective, Manchester United enter the fixture as favorites, given their strengthened attack and the ongoing rebuilding process at West Ham. Early preseason indicators, including a 2-0 scoreline predicted by analysts, suggest United should have the upper hand, especially considering West Ham’s potential struggles in chance creation and scoring. As always, preseason matches offer an opportunity to assess new signings, tactical adjustments, and squad depth ahead of the competitive campaign.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK and Peacock in the US, with streaming options available via Sky Go, NOW TV, and MUTV. As both teams look to gain momentum and integrate new arrivals, the Summer Series opener promises valuable insights for fans and analysts alike.