Man Utd icon Schmeichel names biggest 'disappointment' in the Premier League this season

West Ham have been the biggest ‘disappointment’ this season, says Peter Schmeichel (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel has picked out West Ham as his biggest ‘disappointment’ at this early stage of the Premier League season.

West Ham find themselves languishing down in 19th place, with Wolves the only team separating them from the bottom of the table after seven matches.

A record of just six wins from 23 league games ultimately cost Graham Potter his job last month and Nuno Espirito Santo has taken over the reins, tasked with rebuilding morale in a squad which has been so badly lacking in confidence.

The Hammers – whose only win this season came against Espirito Santo’s former side Nottingham Forest – will look to turn their fortunes around when they return to action at home to Brentford on Monday night.

There were some reasons to be cheerful as Espirito Santo kicked off his reign with a 1-1 draw away to Everton, but a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal followed – ensuring the Irons remain stranded in the relegation zone.

‘We’ve had two tough games away from home against very good teams,’ Espirito Santo told the BBC following his side’s latest loss at the Emirates.

‘Now is the moment to analyse but with all the changes that has been happening I feel the players are responding and trying and that pleases me the most.

Espirito Santo’s side return to top-flight action against Brentford on Monday (Picture: Getty)

The Hammers were well beaten by Arsenal last time out (Picture: Getty)

‘The international break will be important for all of us especially for the players to be calm, there’s been many changes and many noises around us.

‘This is our priority – that we know each other as a group because it is basically our unity and fight for each other that we need.’

Schmeichel recognises that Espirito Santo may need time to ensure he is able make his mark at a club the size of West Ham.

Schmeichel has been taken aback by West Ham’s struggles (Picture: Getty)

But in an interview with Viaplay, the legendary ex-United and Denmark goalkeeper warned the Portuguese they he will have to quickly get the situation ‘under control’ to ensure the club avoid a full-blown crisis.

‘It’s probably West Ham ,’ Schmeichel replied when asked to name the most ‘disappointing’ club in the English top flight this season.

‘They’re such a big club, they have 60,000 in the stands every week, they should do a lot better.

Palace and Bournemouth have ‘surprised’ Schmeichel this season (Picture: Getty)

‘They’ve already fired their manager, the fans are leaving the stadium, even at half-time.

‘It’s disappointing, they need to get it all under control. The fans, the team and the club, they all need to stick together.

‘They are such a big club and for them to be in the bottom three, I don’t think that is right for a club like West Ham.’

Turning his attentions to the opposite end of the table, Schmeichel named Bournemouth and Crystal Palace as his two biggest ‘surprises’ heading into matchweek eight.

‘ Bournemouth is one of them, they have played really, really well,’ the five-time Premier League winner explained.

‘The other team is Crystal Palace . Their manager has got them going and they’re playing really good football.’