West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá to miss Manchester United clash
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is ‘not OK’ and will miss Thursday night’s Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, reports BritPanorama.
The Brazilian midfielder was sent off for arguing with the referee during West Ham’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday, a defeat marked by goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.
Following the dismissal, Paquetá expressed his frustrations in a statement on social media, detailing a two-year ordeal linked to an ongoing regulatory case with the Football Association.
On Tuesday, Nuno provided an update about Paquetá, revealing that the player had apologised to his teammates for his actions, which leave him unavailable for the match against Manchester United. Nuno noted, “First of all he apologised. He’s aware of his mistake. But we as a club must first and foremost protect our own and solve things among ourselves.”
While acknowledging Paquetá’s emotional turmoil, Nuno stated, “He is not OK. He is suffering. He is disappointed and upset. But he realises the mistake that he made and he is willing to move forward.” The manager emphasized the need for mental health support for players, noting, “This is what sometimes people are not aware of the problems that football players endure. But Lucas I think is going to overcome this situation.”
There are ongoing links of Paquetá possibly moving to Manchester City, a deal previously discussed by Pep Guardiola in the summer of 2023 before it fell through due to the player’s investigation for betting offences. Nuno believes those links are now “over,” stating, “I think that is over. It is finished, that is clear.”
Reflecting on the situation, Nuno added, “The squad supports Lucas. This is what is more important, that his teammates recognise and support him. So we move forward.” Clarity around Paquetá’s commitment to West Ham seems to remain, as Nuno concluded that he believes the player is happy at the London Stadium, despite the recent controversies.
In the world of football, even a tempest can often yield unexpected alliances and resolve. As West Ham navigates the storm of recent events, the resilience shown by Paquetá and the club’s collective support will be tested once more on the pitch against a famed rival.
