Report: Julen Lopetegui to now bring 'exceptional' West Ham player back into the starting XI to face Manchester United
Today at 03:35 AM
West Ham host Manchester United on Sunday, and the pressure is on for Julen Lopetegui to claim all three points.
The Hammers currently sit 15th in the Premier League after a poor start to the season has left West Ham in a worrying position just eight games into the new campaign, with the east London side in a potential battle for relegation.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 13 | BrentfordBrentford | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 15 | -1 | 10 |
| 14 | LeicesterLeicester | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 9 |
| 15 | West HamWest Ham | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 15 | -4 | 8 |
| 16 | EvertonEverton | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 8 |
| 17 | IpswichIpswich | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 16 | -10 | 4 |
With some members of West Ham's squad not 'necesarily convinced' by Lopetegui, the former Wolves and Spain manager is in need of a big win if he’s to instill confidence into his players and to get fans on his side once and for all.
And the West Ham boss is set to bring in a player from the cold and back into the starting XI this weekend to face United.
Edson Alvarez set for West Ham return vs Manchester United
According to GiveMeSport, Edson Alvarez will return to the West Ham starting XI this Sunday to face Erik Ten Hag’s side, with the Mexico international making just three Premier League starts this season under Lopetegui.
Once noted by the Daily Mail as an ‘exceptional’ player, the former Ajax man is yet to fully impress West Ham’s new manager this season despite being a regular under David Moyes last year, with Alvarez even linked with a move to United this summer.
Indeed, Alvarez was slammed by Jamie Carragher earlier this season after West Ham’s 5-1 loss against Liverpool in the League Cup, where the midfielder was sent off in what was a night to forget for the east London side.
However, much time has passed since this defeat, and with West Ham in need of a big win on the weekend, Alvarez will want to show how good he can be after such a poor season with the Irons, who will be determined to claim all three points against United.
Alvarez impressing for West Ham could be huge for upcoming games
With the pressure on for the Irons to deliver this weekend against United, Alvarez knows that impressing for West Ham and helping the Hammers to all three points could lead to a full return to the starting XI.
And as per West Ham’s upcoming Premier League fixtures above, things aren’t getting easier for the east London side, who face a tough away trip to Nottingham Forest next weekend followed by huge ties against Everton, Newcastle United and Arsenal.
Yet if Alvarez can unlock something in West Ham’s midfield to get the London Stadium side playing again, the Mexico international could be viewed as the catalyst for change for Lopetegui, who needs wins now more than ever.
