Manchester United host West Ham United in the Premier League this afternoon.
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Manchester United will claim a 2-0 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford this afternoon.
United finished last season in sixth place, but managed to sneak back into the Champions League having won the Europa League final against Ajax – and much more is expected of Jose Mourinho’s men this time around.
General view inside Old Trafford
Mourinho has made three big signings this summer as Victor Lindelof, Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku have all arrived at Old Trafford in big-money deals, boosting United’s squad as they pursue the Premier League title again.
A title challenge has to be Mourinho’s target this season, and he will be hoping to kick off a successful season with a home win against West Ham United this afternoon.
The Hammers endured a frustrating campaign last season, and have subsequently moved to strengthen in the transfer market, with Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta arriving from Manchester City before Slaven Bilic swooped to land Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic.
Landing a goalscorer was the key for West Ham though, and they did that with the signing of Javier Hernandez from Bayer Leverkusen, who returns to face former club United this afternoon, after notching 59 goals in 157 games for the Red Devils earlier in his career.
Some believe that Hernandez can fire West Ham up the table this season, starting with a goal against his former club today – but pundit Mark Lawrenson doesn’t believe that will happen.
Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he does see West Ham looking upwards this season, but doesn’t think they will get anything at Old Trafford, tipping Manchester United to win the game 2-0 and to challenge on all fronts this term.
“I see West Ham as a mid-table side looking upwards, but it is asking a lot for them to get anything at Old Trafford,” said Lawrenson. “Manchester United have got a massive squad – in terms of quality as well as numbers, I think it is the best in the Premier League – and I think they are going to have a real go in every competition this season,” he added.
What is your prediction for Manchester United v West Ham United?
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