Fourth straight win: Man Utd to West Ham's home ground minus three pillars

Manchester United (MU) face a double challenge as they visit West Ham United's home ground. On one hand, the Red Devils arrive with high confidence thanks to their winning streak in the Premier League. On the other hand, MU still needs to plug the gap caused by the absence of three key players ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League continuation match at the London Stadium on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, early morning Western Indonesian Time.

Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick, confirmed that Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount, and Patrick Dorgu are still unavailable.

The absence of these three players once again demands MU's squad depth to come into play, even though the team's performance is currently in its best phase this season.

“Mason will not play on Tuesday. However, he should be able to feature in the next match against Everton,” said Carrick, as quoted from the club's official website.

The main spotlight is on Mason Mount. The English midfielder was actually nearing recovery after suffering an injury from a collision during a training session in early February 2026.

Mount is reported to have a minor injury, so his chances of returning to the pitch soon remain open.

Unlike Mount, Matthijs de Ligt's situation remains uncertain. The Dutch defender hasn't played since late November 2025 due to a back injury.

“He is on the right track. However, Mason is closer to a return than he is,” said Carrick.

De Ligt is estimated to be sidelined for about two months. This situation tests the consistency of MU's defensive line once again, especially when facing a congested schedule in domestic competition and the pressure to maintain their position in the top tier.

Patrick Dorgu is also unavailable to strengthen the team. The young player suffered a hamstring problem while playing against Arsenal in late January 2026. He is predicted not to return until March or April 2026.

The absence of these three players contrasts with Manchester United's league performance. The Red Devils are on a positive run after recording four consecutive victories, including wins over Manchester City and Arsenal.

This sequence of results sees MU occupy fourth place in the provisional Standings with 44 points from 25 matches.

Bryan Mbeumo and his teammates trail third-placed Aston Villa by just three points (47 points). The clash against West Ham presents an important opportunity for MU to keep the pressure on in the race at the top.

West Ham are under heavy pressure. The Hammers are mired in the relegation zone, specifically in 18th place with 23 points from 25 matches.

Although MU are favoured on paper, the Red Devils' depleted condition still opens the door for the hosts to steal points.