West Ham v Manchester United - Brace the Hammer Predictions

We’re back! The Premier League makes a welcome return tonight with Arsenal v Leicester City kicking things off. We’re also reviving the Brace the Hammer predictions, where our fine writers are tasked with foreseeing the outcome of the games.

We are looking ahead to the season opener against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, a team that invest across the park. They are one of the title favourites and host the Hammers at the formidable Old Trafford.

Accordingly there is not much optimism from our writers this week:

Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images

The Kiwi Hammer

3-1 Man Utd win. Not sure what I expect, to be honest apart from a clean game

Wallace Milner

It's not going to be easy playing against Jose Mourinho's new look side. However, West Ham have added some impressive new faces of their own. I expect a close fought game, but United will simply have too much quality in the end. West Ham 1-2 Manchester United.

Trevor Criswell

I've got 3-1 to Manchester United

Lukaku owns our defense and United have had time to jell against high-level competition. If the rumors are true and Lanzini is out, that will hurt us, but I think Hernandez pulls one back in front of his old fans to make the score-line a bit respectable.

Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images

Tom Atherton

Manchester United 2-2 West Ham United

United have had a long pre-season and a tough fixture midweek in Macedonia against Real, whilst we also have a few key players injured, I do believe we can cause United problems on Sunday.

I don’t think we have enough to win, especially after they spent over £100+ million re-tooling their squad this summer, however I believe there will be goals and a 2-2 draw would be a great way to start the season.

Pete Schlenker (The Artist Formerly Known as HammerPete)

With Lanzini and Antonio and Carroll out, 3-1 Manchester United and lots of hot takes in the press about how west ham is underachieving.

Jonathan Liebling

2-0 United

Historically United have started slowly but this season is a different animal. I expect Mourinho and company to come roaring out of the gate. Couple this with the news Lanzini and Antonio will both be out... doesn't look promising.

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Chad Hoy

I think the Hammers will put up a fight but they haven't got Lanzini in so that'll be a bit of a blow.

Gonna guess 2-2 draw and a brace for our new signing Chicha

Andy Kostka

Manchester United 3-1 West Ham

I do believe in a certain amount of magic in football - just look at the final match at the Boleyn Ground. So, Javier Hernandez could really score on his former club, but it won't lead to three points. The Hammers have potential, but look to be outmatched in the opener after another lackluster preseason.

Geo Mackie

2-0 Man Utd

Providing the news that Lanzini is unfit is accurate, I originally thought a draw but without our main creative player and ball carrier which is extremely important at Old Trafford, well and game but more so when your opponent will have the lion share of possession, having someone to dribble it and keep hold is invaluable.

Half of Man Utd's final 12 league games finished 0-0 or 2-0, and I think that sums their manager right up. Matic is a huge signing and it'll show us a different Pogba this season.

Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Jackson Schmidtke

3-1 Loss

Missing Lanzini and Antonio is going to hurt the Hammers in their opening game. Manchester United's revamped attack will fire on all cylinders and Lukaku will score since he always does against us. Bagging a goal for the Hammers is newcomer Chicharito!

Me!

After all this negativity from the rest of the guys I am going to have to be positive and choose a nervy 1-0 win for the Hammers

It’s true that Lukaku always smashes our defence. Manchester United are looking strong enough to win the title but I’m just liking West Ham’s chances. I can’t explain why but I think it could happen.