'Out for three matches' - West Ham confirm huge squad blow ahead of Manchester United fixture

West Ham will be without their star player Mohammed Kudus against Manchester United this weekend.

United drew 1-1 with Fenerbahce in the Europa League league phase on Thursday night and make the visit to the London Stadium on Sunday to take on a struggling West Ham.

The Hammers were expected to improve this season with Julen Lopetegui in charge but they are currently 15th in the Premier League table and have won just two games.

To make matters worse, they will be without Kudus when facing United on Sunday afternoon because the winger has been given a three-match ban following his sending off for violent against Tottenham last weekend.

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Kudus played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax and has established himself as one of the league's finest wingers since joining West Ham for €45million (£38m) in the summer of 2023. The 24-year-old scored against United in West Ham's 2-0 win at the London Stadium just before Christmas but won't be available for selection when the teams meet on Sunday.

"Unfortunately, Kudus is going to be out for three matches because his behaviour was not good, and he knows that. It's a pity because he did a good match and could have scored two goals," said Lopetegui.

"You have to handle your frustration sometimes. He's young. He's not happy and we are not happy and I'm hoping it's the last time we suffer these kind of problem. The only way to handle his frustration is to run more and be focussed in the match. I'm sure it won't happen more.

"I talked with him. Sometimes you don't need to talk lots about these kind of situations. He knows he has to improve his temperament because this can't happen."