Manchester United and West Ham kick off their 2025 pre-season campaigns at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It’s the opening match of the Premier League Summer Series, a mini-tournament in the US between United, West Ham, Everton, and Bournemouth. Each team plays three games. The one with the most points lifts the trophy.
This isn’t just a warm-up. It’s a chance to reset.
Man United vs West Ham: Key Stats
Head-to-head: United 37 wins, West Ham 13 wins, 13 draws
Bryan Mbeumo has 5 goals/assists in 9 games against West Ham.
Last meeting: Man United 0–2 West Ham (May 2025)
West Ham did the double over United last season
Man United scored just 44 league goals in 2024–25
- West Ham’s last match: 3–1 win vs Grasshoppers
What to Expect From Both Teams
Manchester United
The Amorim era is fully underway, but it’s off to a quiet start. A 0-0 draw with Leeds in Sweden showed signs of structure, but no cutting edge. That could change if Mbeumo starts. Cunha and Leon linked well on the flanks. Hojlund and Chido Obi shared striker duties last time out.
Zirkzee and Onana are back in the squad after injuries. Maguire joins late after resolving a personal issue. Rashford has gone to Barcelona. Amorim has pieces to work with, but not much time to put them together.
West Ham
Graham Potter is slowly making this team his own. Kudus is gone, but Fullkrug could be the answer up top this season. Bowen and Paquetá remain the danger men. Diouf and Walker-Peters boost the flanks, while midfield minutes will be shared between Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez, and Potts.
Potter’s side beat United twice last season, 2- 1 at home and 2-0 away. They’ll want to keep that trend going.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United (3-4-2-1) 🔴; Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Dalot, Sekou Kone, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Obi
West Ham (3-4-2-1) ⚒️; Areola; Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd; Wan-Bissaka, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Diouf; Paquetá, Bowen; Fullkrug
Players and Matchups to Watch
Mbeumo’s debut – Will he be the spark United have missed?
Bowen vs Shaw – Bowen scored in both wins last season. Shaw returns to stop the repeat.
Fernandes vs Ward-Prowse – Set-piece specialists and midfield leaders face off.
Cunha’s movement – Can he link play and create the chances United lacked last time?
Odds Market on MSport
💵 West Ham to win: 3.55
💵 Over 2.5 goals: 1.72
It’s MetLife, not Old Trafford. But the rivalry still matters. West Ham dominated United last season. But this is a new chapter. New players. And a chance to set the tone for the season.
The Summer Series may be a pre-season tournament, but the pressure is real, especially when there’s a trophy waiting at the end.
