---
title: "Man Utd Women vs West Ham Women: Three Key Battles That Will Decide WSL Clash"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/09/27/man-utd-women-vs-west-ham-women-key-battles/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "West Ham Women's News"
published: "2026-09-27T09:19:00Z"
modified: "2026-10-10T21:46:27Z"
---

# Man Utd Women vs West Ham Women: Three Key Battles That Will Decide WSL Clash

West Ham United Women face a Manchester United side still searching for their first Women’s Super League win of the season on Sunday.

That league record should not disguise the threat awaiting Rita Guarino’s side.

United responded to a difficult start by thrashing Sheffield United 10-1 in the Subway Players Cup on Wednesday, while West Ham travel north without injured forward Riko Ueki.

The match kicks off at 1pm BST at the Progress With Unity Stadium, with our [Man Utd Women vs West Ham Women TV guide](https://readwestham.com/2026/09/25/man-utd-women-vs-west-ham-women-tv-channel-live-stream/) containing all the broadcast details.

These are three battles that could decide Sunday’s contest.

## How West Ham replace Riko Ueki

Guarino’s biggest decision comes in attack.

The [West Ham head coach confirmed](https://www.whufc.com/en/news/talking-points-or-guarino-on-spirit-positives-from-spurs-and-manchester-united) that Ueki will be sidelined for a few weeks after suffering an injury against Everton.

Ffion Morgan is progressing in her recovery, but West Ham have not confirmed that she is ready to return.

That leaves Guarino needing to reshape an attack that has regularly featured Ueki this season.

Ebony Salmon is one obvious solution.

She started Wednesday’s goalless Players Cup draw against Tottenham and gives West Ham pace to attack space behind United’s defence.

Kelly Gago and Viviane Asseyi offer further flexibility.

West Ham cannot simply try to replicate Ueki’s role with another player. They need movement around Manchester United’s centre-backs and enough pace to turn possession into genuine chances.

That was missing for long periods during the [1-0 defeat against Everton](https://readwestham.com/2026/09/20/west-ham-women-0-1-everton-wsl-report/).

## Katie Zelem must control midfield on Manchester United return

Few West Ham players will understand Sunday’s opponents better than Katie Zelem.

The midfielder previously captained Manchester United before eventually joining West Ham, where she now wears the armband again.

We covered [Zelem’s appointment as West Ham captain](https://readwestham.com/2026/09/05/west-ham-name-katie-zelem-captain-before-tottenham-wsl-opener/) before the season began.

Her importance on Sunday goes well beyond the former-club narrative.

Manchester United showed against Sheffield United how quickly they can build pressure when allowed to play around the opposition penalty area.

Ella Toone scored in that 10-1 victory, while United also received goals from Maya Le Tissier, Rebeca Bernal, Mared Griffiths, Lea Schüller and Jess Simpson.

West Ham therefore need Zelem, and potentially Saki Kumagai alongside her, to prevent United repeatedly progressing through midfield.

If the Hammers can disrupt that supply and keep possession under pressure, they have a much better chance of slowing the game down.

## West Ham must survive United’s penalty-area threat

Manchester United’s league start has been poor.

They lost 2-1 to London City Lionesses, were beaten 5-0 by Chelsea and then drew 1-1 with Arsenal.

That means they enter Sunday without a WSL victory.

Wednesday provided a reminder of what their attack can produce.

The [official Manchester United match report](https://www.manutd.com/en/news/report-united-women-10-sheffield-united-1) shows six different players scored against Sheffield United.

There was also variety in how the goals arrived.

Bernal scored twice, Griffiths completed a hat-trick and Schüller added two more. Simpson even scored directly from a corner.

West Ham’s back line therefore cannot focus on one individual.

Laia Codina, Estelle Cascarino and the full-backs will need to defend crosses, second balls and set pieces far better than Sheffield United managed.

Guarino’s side did at least show improved defensive resilience against Tottenham in midweek.

West Ham kept a clean sheet over 90 minutes before winning the penalty shootout.

Repeating that organisation while finding a greater threat at the other end could give them a genuine route to a result.

Manchester United may be winless in the WSL.

After ten goals in midweek, West Ham cannot afford to treat them like a side lacking confidence.